Grapevine Springs Park
Coppell, Dallas County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The Grapeving Springs, which flow into the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, have attracted visitors for more than 2,000 years. In 1843, Republic of Texas President Sam Houston camped here during treaty negotiations with Native Americans. The treaty was later signed at Bird's Fort. In 1936, Dallas County accepted the donation of Houston's campsite as park land, and the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) built rock walls, picnic facilities, footbridges and other features. During World War II, ownership reverted to prior owners. The Baptist Foundation of Texas later obtained the land and donated it to the county in 1991. Today, the City of Coppell maintains it, and efforts to restore WPA features are ongoing. (2005)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The Grapevine Springs, feeding the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, have drawn people for thousands of years, and in 1843 Republic of Texas President Sam Houston camped here during treaty talks with Native American nations, an agreement later signed at Bird's Fort. Donated as county parkland in 1936, the site gained rock walls, footbridges, and picnic facilities built by the Works Progress Administration. After wartime reversion and later gifts, the City of Coppell now maintains it while efforts continue to restore the WPA-era features.
Why it matters
The springs tie together deep Indigenous use, the diplomacy of the Republic of Texas, and Depression-era public works in one enduring public landscape.
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Related people
- · Sam Houston
Related events
- · Bird's Fort Treaty negotiations
Themes & tags
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