History of Buffalo, Texas

The information gathered below was written by R. J. Jetton (1900) and Louise Cates (1988). Any errors are unintentional.

Val Verde

More than one hundred thirty years ago there was a prosperous little village three miles from where Buffalo, Texas now stands. The name of this little village was Val Verde, which means Green Valley.

This beautiful little valley is hedged in by hills which are more than half surrounded by small streams. These streams are supported by bold springs and clothed by a stately mantle of cedar and holly. Nearly every species of evergreen can be found nearby. Most of the trees were all decked out in beautiful festoons of moss, vines, brambles and berries. All in all, it was a lovely profusion by nature’s own hand.

There was a foot bridge to cross the clear brook and a trail which led to a perpendicular bluff. From the base of this bluff, gushed a bold spring of pure living water. This was enclosed by a carpet of green grass. Had the lovely spot occupied a place in some National Park, its beautiful and picturesque scenery would have been inscribed by many a pen. This description does not figure as the theme of some fairy legend. It is a picture engraved on memory’s tablet which can be gladly recalled by anyone having been there.

At the time of which I write, there was in this little dell: two storehouses, grist mill, cotton gin, saw mill, blacksmith shop, school and church house. Cedar Creek Community was the only place of any note between Fairfield and Centerville. It was the center of society and business for miles around.

There was a variety of religious and social entertainments. Besides school for kids, there were gospel meetings, preaching, Sunday School, singing school, an organized choir, debating society and kangaroo courts.

In the year of 1870, something over 1,000 people gathered to see one of the best circus shows that ever visited this part of the country. People hauled cotton to Parker’s Gin from ten miles in any direction. Doc Haggard’s medical practice extended ten to twelve miles.

The first, the last, the real name of this is Cedar Creek Community. Why it was called Val Verde, we refer to Captain Nettles. It was a pretty appropriate name, but it was not universally accepted nor was it generally known. This place bid fair to become a thriving little town, but cruel fate decreed otherwise.

It was not long before the neigh of the Iron Horse was heard. The International and Great Northern Railroad came sweeping through and our little town vanished like the dew of an early morning.

Val Verde or Cedar Creek Community was abandoned by her friends and supporters as they moved to be near the railroad. Today, scarcely a vestige of her glory remains.

In the late 1800’s a larger gin was needed and this required a larger boiler. The boiler was brought by boat to Galveston and then on to Cedar Creek on a huge wagon pulled by oxen. On the day it arrived, everyone for miles around gathered for celebration. We kept our eyes peeled, wanting to be the first to see it. The first “Here she comes” was shouted when they were still ten miles out. But we could see the dust! It was used for scrap iron in World War II.

Nature’s own gifts were not spared with the desertion. The cruel ax of woodmen has felled much of her beautiful foliage. Excessive rains have cut trenches over the land and have taken their toll on the pretty playground. The carpet of green grass has disappeared beneath the farmer’s plows. Yes, the beautiful picture has faded. Still, there is a hale of pleasure clinging to the memory of bygone days.

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