The Clifton Record (Clifton, Tex.), Vol. 111, No. 25, Ed. 1 Friday, June 23, 2006 Page: 103 of 110
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: The Clifton Record and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Nellie Pederson Civic Library.
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THE CLIFTON RECORD — BOSQUE COUNTY, U.S.A.
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2006
85
Walnut Springs. Texas
Walnut Springs — Former Texas Central Headquarters
Walnut Springs was settled around 1860,
but was not surveyed as a town until the
Texas Central Railroad came through in
1881. As the location of the railroad’s divi-
sional machine shop, the town grew rapidly
early in its history.
Dams were built at Steele Creek to insure
water for the railroad and its shops. A rail-
road hospital was built in addition to feed
and seed stores, coal and wood shops, liv-
ery stables with harness and saddle sales,
meat markets, cafes, boarding houses,
and even saloons.
Walnut Springs at one time was the larg-
est city between Waco and Port Worth. The
railroad and the city flourished through
World War I, with Walnut’s population
bulging to an estimated 3,500. However, a
slow economy following the war brought
a slow and steady decline in population to
the area.
Those that remained have kept the town
vibrant. Several churches, whose con-
gregations date back to the 1880s, still
gather.
Education has always been important
to the people of Walnut Springs. In 1885,
Central College opened with 108 stu-
dents. The school was later merged with
the public school system. Today, Walnut
Springs is a small but proud little com-
munity that stills boasts of a quality edu-
cational system.
Walnut Springs during the old days.
Walnut Springs
City Government
City Hall — Corner of State Highway 144 and FM
927 at 4126 3rd Street, Phone (254) 797-3721, email
< cityofws(iTearthlink.net > Monday through
Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, 1 to 5 p.m.
Elected Officials
• Mayor — Benny Damron
• Mayor Pro-Tern — Vincent Sterling
• Aldermen — Karen Prescher, Melissa Fewins,
Kay Moore, Larry Stafford, Vincent Sterling
• City Council meets the third Thursday each month
Departments
• City Secretary — Kay Offutt
• Director Of Public Works— Joe Herring
• Municipal Judge — Matt Cummings
• Water/Sewer Superintendent — Jim Bob Berry
• Emergency — 9-1-1
City Services
• Volunteer Fire Department — 9-1-1 or (254) 797-
2105
• Waste Disposal — 1 (800) 234-7478
• Electric Service — First Choice Power Company
(254) 435-6313
• Telephone Service — Valor Telephone (877) 520-
5220
School
Walnut Springs Independent School District —
Administration Building (254) 797-2132, Fax (254)
797-2191
Superintendent — Randy Edwards
Superintendent Secretary — Paula R. Jones
Board Of Trustees
Kay Offutt, Karen Jones, Greg Morrow, Johnnie
Billman, Rob Walls, Dan Olson, and Joe Herring
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Smith, W. Leon. The Clifton Record (Clifton, Tex.), Vol. 111, No. 25, Ed. 1 Friday, June 23, 2006, newspaper, June 23, 2006; Clifton, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth790015/m1/103/?rotate=270: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Nellie Pederson Civic Library.