| Official Name: | Coldspring, Texas |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Mapsize: | 250px |
| Image Map1: | SanJacinto County Coldspring.svg |
| Mapsize1: | 250px |
| Map Caption1: | Location of Coldspring within San Jacinto County, Texas |
| Pushpin Map: | Texas#USA |
| Pushpin Label: | Coldspring |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | San Jacinto |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Km2: | 4.82 |
| Area Land Km2: | 4.81 |
| Area Water Km2: | 0.01 |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 1.86 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 1.86 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.00 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 819 |
| Population Density Km2: | 194 |
| Timezone: | Central (CST) |
| Utc Offset: | -6 |
| Timezone Dst: | CDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -5 |
| Elevation M: | 110 |
| Elevation Ft: | 361 |
| Coordinates: | 30.5881°N -95.1333°W |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP code |
| Postal Code: | 77331 |
| Area Code: | 936 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 48-15892[2] |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 1384227[3] |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 502 |
Coldspring is a city in San Jacinto County, Texas, United States. It is the county seat of San Jacinto County,[4] which is named after the river that traverses it and shares its name with the battle that gave Texas its independence. The population was 819 at the 2020 census.
The history of Coldspring is linked to Stephen F. Austin's first colony in Texas, which established, among other locales, San Jacinto County. Austin's original colony extended to the Trinity River watershed (roughly along Texas 156 toward Point Blank). After receiving a commission from the Mexican government to settle the town, Joseph Vehlein, a German immigrant to Mexico, deeded 640acres to Robert Rankin, an American Revolutionary officer. This acreage included the site of Coldspring.
The settlement of Cold Springs (old spelling) began around 1850. In 1848, there had existed only a nearby trading post called "Coonskin" (later, "Fireman's Hill").
Coldspring had developed into a bustling county-seat town by 1915, but disaster struck on March 30, 1915 when the wooden courthouse burned, thus removing the economic foundation of the town. Plans for a new courthouse were made, and the present building was completed in 1918. The townspeople then moved their buildings to be closer to the new courthouse.[5]
In 1983, San Jacinto County sheriff James Cecil "Humpy" Parker was convicted of six civil rights abuses of suspects using the form of torture called waterboarding and was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.[6] However, he served fewer than five before his medical release due to brain cancer; he died in 1994. Parker's son and deputy, Gary, was convicted in 1984 of conspiracy to violate suspects' rights. These incidents were incorporated into a novel by Steven Sellers,Terror on Highway 59 in 1984, which in turn was made into a made-for-television movie, Terror on Highway 91 (1989), starring Ricky Schroder.
Coldspring is located at (30.588194, –95.133262).[7] Houston, the fifth largest metropolitan center in the United States, is approximately 55miles to Coldspring's south.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.8sqmi, all land.
| White (NH) | 512 | 62.52% | |
| Black or African American (NH) | 204 | 24.91% | |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 4 | 0.49% | |
| Asian (NH) | 6 | 0.73% | |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 5 | 0.61% | |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 27 | 3.3% | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 61 | 7.45% | |
| Total | 819 |
As of the census of 2000, 691 people, 263 households, and 180 families were living in the city. The population density was 375sp=usNaNsp=us. The 313 housing units averaged 170 per square mile (65.7/km). The racial makeup of the city was 66.28% White, 31.40% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.58% Asian, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 3.18% of the population.
Of the 263 households, 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 20.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were not families. About 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44, and the average family size was 2.91.
In the city, the population was distributed as 27.8% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,083, and the median income for a family was $30,729. Males had a median income of $31,667 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,777. About 19.7% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.
The town square hosts antique stores, art studios, and restaurants.[9] More than 35 historical markers are placed throughout the town. Also of historical significance are the Historic Heritage Center, Old Town Coldspring, the 1887 Jail Museum, and the oldest continuously active Methodist Church in Texas, which had been established in 1848.[10]
About 25 golf courses are within a 50miles radius of Coldspring. Nearby, Lake Livingston and Sam Houston National Forest's Double Lake Recreational Area offer opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing, and water skiing.
The City of Coldspring is served by the Coldspring-Oakhurst Consolidated Independent School District.