Sutherland Springs

As early as 1831, people started settling in the area where Sutherland Springs would later be. The town was actually started in 1849. This area is now called "Old Town". John Sutherland platted his own land and put the lots up for sale. By 1860 more than 50 people had settled in the area and many opened business over the years. Sutherland Springs was the first County Seat in Wilson county, in 1860. Later, the county seat was moved to Lodi. The people of Sutherland Springs were very angry, and demanded an election. The rules of the election said that the County Seat would have to be within five miles of the center of the county. Sutherland Springs lost the election, and the County Seat was finally put in Floresville for good.

The resort and town declined with many events happening. In 1913 the river flooded into many homes, doing much damage to the parks and filling the sulpher pools with mud. During 1919, along with World War One, there was an outbreak of flu. Many people lost their children during this time. Some lost two in one household. A fire in 1927 burned down many blocks. The fire made many businesses have to close down and some people had to move because their houses burned down. In 1970 the population was approximately 150, with general stores and gas stations.

Credits: Most of the information on this page came from my grandmother and from a phamplet she gave me, titled "Welcome to the Sutherland Springs Historical Museum".