Grass Pond Colony (Grass Ponds Colony)

Wilson County, TX

Status: Located

Year Established: 1875

Council of Governments: AACOG

Public History: There are no current descriptions related to Grass Pond Colony in the public record. If you are aware of any sources that we may have missed please share them with us.

Community History: Grass Pond Colony was located at the site of several large natural ponds which still remain filled by water year-round due to natural springs, it is located in the northern part of Wilson County, Texas, U.S. A. about five miles south of Sutherland Springs Texas. Due to the reliable source of water the site was occupied early on by Native Americans. The Grass Ponds were later part of a Colonial Spanish “Rancho” during the Spanish Colonial period. After the American Civil War several “Colonies” of freed slaves were established in the area, one of these was Grass Pond Colony. Grass Pond Colony was named for the large lilly pad filled ponds, located in the large natural grassy meadows nearby. In 1875, the community had a church and school built of hand-split logs and filled with handmade furniture made from logs. The first teacher at the school was August Harrison who was paid $40 a month. With the growth of nearby Floresville, La Vernia and Sutherland Springs, and after being bypassed by the railroad and major roads, the community declined until all that remains at the site today are the large lilly-pad filled ponds it was named for., Grass Pond Colony was located at the site of several large natural ponds which still remain filled by water year-round due to natural springs, it is located in the northern part of Wilson County, Texas, U.S. A. about five miles south of Sutherland Springs Texas. Due to the reliable source of water the site was occupied early on by Native Americans. The Grass Ponds were later part of a Colonial Spanish “Rancho” during the Spanish Colonial period. After the American Civil War several “Colonies” of freed slaves were established in the area, one of these was Grass Pond Colony. Grass Pond Colony was named for the large lilly pad filled ponds, located in the large natural grassy meadows nearby. In 1875, the community had a church and school built of hand-split logs and filled with handmade furniture made from logs. The first teacher at the school was August Harrison who was paid $40 a month. With the growth of nearby Floresville, La Vernia and Sutherland Springs, and after being bypassed by the railroad and major roads, the community declined until all that remains at the site today are the large lilly-pad filled ponds it was named for.

Church: Grass Pond Colony Church (est. 1875, hand-split logs)

School: Colony School