Natalie Pilkinton

The History of Old Town Spring

Old Town Spring started as a small settlement in the mid-1800s, long before suburban Houston spread north. Early settlers; many of German descent; were drawn to the area because of fertile land, timber, and natural springs.

The town really took off in 1871 when the Houston and Great Northern Railroad came through Spring. That railroad changed everything. Spring became a major railroad hub with rail yards, warehouses, hotels, saloons, and worker housing. By the early 1900s, the International-Great Northern Railroad had expanded operations there, employing hundreds of rail workers.

Back then, Spring was not the boutique shopping district people know today. It was a rough-and-tumble railroad town. You had:

* Cotton gins
* Sawmills
* Hotels
* General stores
* Saloons
* Boarding houses

Basically, if trains stopped there, money flowed there.

The Boom… Then the Bust

Like a lot of railroad towns, Spring’s economy depended heavily on rail traffic. When railroad operations shifted and the Great Depression hit, the town declined hard. Much of the area became quiet and nearly dormant for decades.

Then in the late 1960s and 1970s, preservation-minded locals began restoring the historic buildings instead of bulldozing them. That decision saved the district and turned it into the walkable Old Town Spring people visit today.

What Makes It Unique Today

Today, Old Town Spring is known for:
* Historic Victorian-era buildings
* Antique stores and boutiques
* Ghost tours and paranormal lore
* Festivals and classic Texas events
* Local restaurants and wine bars
* Railroad-town architecture

It now has more than 100 locally owned businesses and is considered one of the more unique historic districts in the north Houston area.

One of the most iconic landmarks is Wunsche Bros. Cafe & Saloon, originally opened in the early 1900s. It’s famous not just for food and history, but also for ghost stories. Old Town Spring leans heavily into its haunted reputation; and honestly, the old creaky railroad-town vibe helps sell it.

Fun Local Lore

Before settlers arrived, the area was associated with the Akokisa tribe, and local legends over the years evolved into stories about curses, hauntings, and spirits connected to the old railroad town. Whether you believe the ghost stories or not, Old Town Spring absolutely embraced that identity.

Why Realtors and Investors Like It

Old Town Spring works because it offers something Houston suburbs often struggle with:
* Character
* Walkability
* Historic identity
* Event-driven traffic
* Small-business culture

People remember it. That matters.

Most suburban developments feel interchangeable. Old Town Spring feels like a place with a story. And story sells.

🎙️✨ We’re recording LIVE today at Lynn’s Table in the heart of Old Town Spring! ✨🎙️

Join the ladies of Sugar, Spice & Spirits Podcast this Thursday from 11 AM – 2 PM as we spend the afternoon at one of our favorite local spots — [Lynn’s Table](https://lynnstable.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 💛

We can’t wait to see what delicious features Lynn’s Table has cooking up today while visiting with our wonderful guests, Cory L. Kammerdiener and Art. From elevated comfort food and Southern hospitality to great conversation, business, real estate, and life — it’s going to be a fun afternoon in Old Town Spring.

If you’re nearby, stop in, say hello, grab lunch, and enjoy the atmosphere with us!

📍 Lynn’s Table — Old Town Spring
🕚 Thursday | 11 AM – 2 PM
🎙️ Sugar, Spice & Spirits Podcast

1. Don’t ignore your weaknesses. Identify and work to improve them.
2. Stop making excuses and waiting for the ‘right time’ to act—there is no such thing!
3. Don’t work alone—get an accountability partner, and listen to their counsel.

Share your favorite success advice in the comments!

Are you making a dessert for an upcoming Memorial Day picnic? Try this Berry Almond Crisp as a perfect summery treat!

Ingredients:
• 1 pound strawberries
• 14 ounces red currants
• 1½ pounds raspberries
• Generous 1 cup superfine sugar, divided
• 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• sticks salted butter, diced and softened, plus more for greasing

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease two 9½-inch round porcelain baking dishes with melted butter. Wash and dry all the fruit, and then hull the strawberries and pull the red currants off their stalks.
2. Put the berries and currants in a large bowl, sprinkle with a scant ½ cup of the sugar, and stir to combine. Divide the fruit between the baking dishes, spreading it in a single layer.
3. In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, remaining sugar, diced butter, and ground almonds. Rub the ingredients lightly together with your fingertips until coarse crumbs form.
4. Scatter a layer of the crumb mixture over the fruit in the baking dishes and bake for 40 minutes, until the topping is golden and crisp. Serve warm.

Recipe from: Enjoy: Recipes for Memorable Gatherings by Perla Servan-Schreiber. Photography by Nathalie Carnet.

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