Off The Beaten Path - Fort Spunky, TX

[joe817]

FORT SPUNKY, TEXAS. The remnants of the Fort Spunky community are on Farm roads 199 and 2174 and Lake Granbury in the southeastern corner of Hood County. The settlement was originally named Barnardville. In 1849 George Barnard built one of a chain of Torrey trading houses on the Brazos River at what is now the site of Fort Spunky. George and his brother Charles Barnard, the Torrey brothers, and Sam Houston, president of the former Republic of Texas, invested in this enterprise, thinking that it would improve Indian relations. The post itself, run by Charles Barnard, was built near a spring and beside a settlement of peaceable, agricultural Indians. The trading post lay near well-traveled Indian highways and the prominent landmark Comanche Peak, used by the Indians, especially the Comanches, as a lookout, rallying point, and campground.

George and Charles Barnard procured thousands of acres near Comanche Peak and along the Brazos River. A tributary of the Brazos nearby was called George's Creek, and a community by the same name developed in the 1850s as a companion settlement near the trading post. In the mid-1850s the Indians were moved to Fort Belknap by the United States government, and the Barnards' trading post declined. The community acquired the colorful name Fort Spunky because sporadic fistfights broke out in town. The community's post office opened in 1886. The settlement was predominantly an agricultural trade center that took the place of the defunct trading post. About forty residents lived there in 1896. In the early 1900s John D. Armstrong, the postmaster, owned virtually all the businesses, namely the cotton gin, gristmill, general store, blacksmith shop, and feed store. The businesses and post office were gone in the 1980s. The population of Fort Spunky was sixty-five in 1964 and was reported as fifteen from 1966 to 2000.

[Daddio-on-patio]

My wife's maiden name is Barnard. Descendant of George Barnard. If you are into Texas history, George and Charles are interesting subjects. The story of them rescuing a Spanish woman thru trades and cash from indians should be more well known. Her name is Juanita, which one of the brothers married. She lived in the Fort Spunky area into the 1900's. https://tshaonline.org/handbook has a wealth of information available for searching.

[joe817]

My wife's maiden name is Barnard. Descendant of George Barnard. If you are into Texas history, George and Charles are interesting subjects. The story of them rescuing a Spanish woman thru trades and cash from indians should be more well known. Her name is Juanita, which one of the brothers married. She lived in the Fort Spunky area into the 1900's. https://tshaonline.org/handbook has a wealth of information available for searching.

Thank you D.o.p. FWIW, 100% of the material in the "This Day In Texas History" series comes from the Texas State Historical Society's link you posted. And about 70% of the "Off The Beaten Path" entries come from there as well. And you're right. It is a wealth of info.

[Daddio-on-patio]

joe817 hope I didn't steal your thunder! I enjoy your post. When my wife and I travel around the area/State we see things of interest and search the above mentioned website. Came across some ruins of an abandoned bank in the west side if Joe Pool Lake. Found that not only did it survive the depression but they were proud of the tact fact that they were the only bank around that was not robbed by Bonnie and Clyde. Instead of just looking over the hood ornament down the road you can find some interesting tidbits with a little curiosity. The internet has made that exponentially easier. Enjoy the Handbook for it is well researched. Thank you for your post

[joe817]

joe817 hope I didn't steal your thunder! I enjoy your post. When my wife and I travel around the area/State we see things of interest and search the above mentioned website. Came across some ruins of an abandoned bank in the west side if Joe Pool Lake. Found that not only did it survive the depression but they were proud of the tact fact that they were the only bank around that was not robbed by Bonnie and Clyde. Instead of just looking over the hood ornament down the road you can find some interesting tidbits with a little curiosity. The internet has made that exponentially easier. Enjoy the Handbook for it is well researched. Thank you for your post

Not at all Dadio! I appreciate your input. One of my fantasies is to grab my metal detector, head out in my car and look for places like your abandoned bank to go detecting.

[Daddio-on-patio]

http://www.texasescapes.com/TOWNS/Britt ... ttontx.htm
I have a decent Garrett detector. Wish I had more time and places to use it. Good luck on your travels.

[joe817]

http://www.texasescapes.com/TOWNS/Britt ... ttontx.htm
I have a decent Garrett detector. Wish I had more time and places to use it. Good luck on your travels.

Great website! I look at it every day. That's where 'Texas Tales' comes from. Your detector is far superior to mine. I too wish I had more time and places to go, like the bank. Great story. Thanks for posting.