Herald Democrat
Early-day travelers passing through Grayson County on horseback, in wagons or by stagecoach could take their choice of locations to stop for a refreshing drink of cool spring water to wash away a little trail dust.  A few years ago a writer named Gunnar Brune, who lived in Arlington, published Volume I of “Springs of Texas,” a detailed study of the springs located in three-fourths of Texas, including Grayson County.  Twenty-two springs are pinpointed and discussed in the Grayson County segment of the 566 page book. While Brune says his book primarily is for reference work, it makes good reading for persons interested not only in Grayson County springs, but geology, hydrology, archeology, history and ecology in Texas. Brune discusses each spring and events concerning each.  In Grayson County he said the springs are mostly in the northeast portion, flowing primarily from the Woodbine sand, Austin chalk and river terrace sand and gravel.  Indians, especially the Tonkawas, and early Americans camped along the Red River and its tributaries for many years where the springs were in abundance. Later the Comanches and Wichitas chose the site for their homes.  In the early 1800s, before they were forced out by settlers, other tribes lived at the springs. These included the Delawares in the Northwest part of the county near what is remembered today as Delaware Bend; the Shawnees at the mouth of Shawnee Creek north of Denison; and the Choctaws, Creeks, Chickasaws and Cherokees.  Numerous springs were inundated by the waters of Lake Texoma when it was built. One of these was Sand Springs at Coffee’s Trading Post on Preston Peninsula, which was in full operation in 1839.  At least two springs are located in or near Sherman. One, Odneal or Big Springs, is near the intersection of Odneal and Branch streets there, according to Brune.  In 1858 the Butterfield Overland stage made a stop at this spring as well as at Sand Spring near where Denison later was established. Sand Spring near Waterloo Lake was a watering place for California bound gold seekers, stagecoaches and cattle drovers.  One spring is located near the National Guard Armory where the railroad trestle once stood.  As recent as the late 1940s residents filled jugs with the cool spring water at the spring.  Other sand springs still feed into Waterloo Lake.  Post Oak Springs northwest of Sherman gave rise to Post Oak Creek there. Brune said that Lucas and Hall’s “A History of Grayson County Texas,” (1936) said that the Indians had a camp at Post Oak Springs.  North of Sadler are Basin Springs and northwest of Pottsboro are Brogdon Springs, where a historical marker relates how a regiment in Ross’ Texas Brigade was organized there in 1861. Near that site are Stout Springs and Dripping Springs, where the water seeps from cliffs of Woodbine sandstone covered with fern, cress and moss.  Cooke Springs, southwest of Denison, and Moss Springs, where Micajah Davis built his log cabin in 1837, are not far from Sand Springs.  Miller Springs are located at the Verna Blood home, where Indians occupied the area before J.K. Miller built a cabin in 1852.  There are Tanyard Springs between Denison and Sherman at Woodlake, although in 1976 when Brune did his research on the area, there was very little spring flow.  A second Dripping Springs are just north of the Dripping Springs Cemetery between Denison and Sherman. At Carpenter’s Bluff, east of Denison, are Carpenter Springs, which were popular with persons crossing Red River on the ferry that once operated there.  Everhart Springs are located northwest of Whitewright, and Clear Springs are north of Tom Bean. This was a popular spot in early days for revival meetings among the cedar trees, where the fresh springs flowed.  Cold Springs are east-southeast of Van Alstyne. Brune said fish gather round the springs in the lake, which now covers the springs, indicating that they still flow.  McKinstry Springs are located southwest of Sherman, and Copperas Springs are south of Tioga, as are Pierce Springs and Tiogo Springs, a popular health spa in the 1880s.  Brune takes a “wet” subject and makes it interesting with research he did on each of the thousands of springs around this segment of Texas. He includes chemical analyses of spring waters and even maps of location of springs and seeps, hot and warm springs, mineral springs, archaeological features found near springs, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th century trails and springs that served them, and a generalized map of spring aquifers.  Hours upon hour of research was done by Brune to compile his book. The Texas Historical Commission furnished important historical and archaeological information on many of the springs. He had also searched out maps, talked to countless individuals, and searched every nook and cranny where the information might be hiding.  Keep in mind that this book was written a number of years ago and some of the springs discussed may not be producing at this time.

Twenty-two springs are located in mostly in the northwest portion of Grayson County.  Numerous springs were inundated by the waters of Lake Texoma when it was built.  One of these was Sand Springs at Coffee's Trading Post on Preston Peninsula, which was in full operation in 1829.  (Brune, Gunnar.  Springs of Texas. c1981.)

One spring is located under the railroad trestle southwest of the National Guard Amory in Denison, and as recently as the last 40 years, residents filled jugs with cool spring water.

Basin Springs
Located about 3 miles north of Sadler on Edith Funk's farm

Brogdon Springs
Located about 3.5 miles northwest of Pottsboro
A distinguished regiment in Ross' Texas Brigade was organized there in 1861 for combat during the Civil War.  Records indicate that a fort existed there at one time.  The springs were called "Martin Springs" on later maps.

Carpenter Springs
Located at Carpenters Bluff where Hwy 120 crosses the Red River east of Denison
These waters are high in iron.  These springs were very popular with people who crossed the Red River on the ferry that once operated there.