Ables Springs, Texas
Encyclopedia
Ables Springs is an unincorporated community
in Kaufman County
, Texas
, United States
.
.
The community, as well as all of Kaufman County, is part of the Dallas
–Fort Worth
–Arlington
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
For many years thereafter, Ables Springs was a center for local religious and school activities. The community remained small as surrounding towns, particularly Terrell, grew.
The spring that once served as the community's primary water source eventually ran dry as a result of overuse and development of a nearby rock quarry. The lack of water caused area officials to seek out other sources to serve Ables Springs. On November 1, 1979, the Ables Springs Water Supply Corporation was commissioned. It continues to serve the area's water needs to this date.
The election was held on May 12, 2007. Of the 102 valid votes cast, 40 (39.22%) voted in favor of incorporation while 62 (60.78%) voted against the proposition.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in Kaufman County
Kaufman County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 71,313 people, 24,367 households, and 19,225 families residing in the county. The population density was 91/sq mi . There were 26,133 housing units at an average density of 33/sq mi...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Geography
Ables Springs is located at 32°48′53"N 96°07′16"W (32.8148476, -96.1210842) in northeastern Kaufman County. It is situated along FM 429, approximately ten miles northeast of TerrellTerrell, Texas
Terrell is a city in Kaufman County, Texas, United States, and a southeastern suburb of Dallas. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 13,606...
.
The community, as well as all of Kaufman County, is part of the Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
–Fort Worth
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
–Arlington
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
The Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Metropolitan Statistical Area, a title designated by the U.S. Census as of 2003, encompasses 12 counties within the U.S. state of Texas. The area is divided into two metropolitan divisions: Dallas–Plano–Irving and Fort Worth–Arlington. Residents of the area...
.
History
Land in the area was granted to Ezekiel Ables by the state of Texas in 1848. Five years later, Ezekiel's son James and his wife Eliza settled there. A freshwater spring that later contributed to the community's name, ran through the area. Mr. and Mrs. Ables deeded an 8.75 acres (35,410 m²) plot to a Methodist Episcopal Church in 1878. A tabernacle, church, and school were later constructed on the land. A separate portion was also set aside for a cemetery.For many years thereafter, Ables Springs was a center for local religious and school activities. The community remained small as surrounding towns, particularly Terrell, grew.
The spring that once served as the community's primary water source eventually ran dry as a result of overuse and development of a nearby rock quarry. The lack of water caused area officials to seek out other sources to serve Ables Springs. On November 1, 1979, the Ables Springs Water Supply Corporation was commissioned. It continues to serve the area's water needs to this date.
Incorporation attempt
In early 2007, a group of Ables Springs residents began researching what it would take to incorporate the community. Citing Kaufman County's rapid population growth and the desire to preserve the small, close-knit atmosphere of Ables Springs, organizers gathered the necessary number of signatures needed to place the issue on a ballot.The election was held on May 12, 2007. Of the 102 valid votes cast, 40 (39.22%) voted in favor of incorporation while 62 (60.78%) voted against the proposition.