Spring Creek North

Historically known as "Big Springs"

 

Most of these photos were taken in during September of 2003 in an area historically  known as Big Springs. This vacant, commercially-zoned wilderness area adjoins privately-owned and occupied acreage once used for both farming and ranching. Two historically significant homes are nearby. The rock outcrops remind one of  the Texas Hill Country many miles southeast of Dallas. Austin Chaulk has been exposed here to thousands of years of weathering providing for an extremely interesting landscape for photography and hiking. Rare specimens, flora and fauna miraculously remain despite the impending encroachment of development. We found many of the rare Liatris glandulosa (Gayfeather) growing on exposed areas with little soil as well as  large colonies of Trout Lily in the forest adjacent to Big Springs. This general area is bounded on the north by the north by Campbell Rd. (once called Big Springs Rd.,) the George Bush Tollway, Shiloh Rd. on the west, and by Holford Road on the south where the main channel of Spring Creek swiftly flows. It is by no means a totally pristine area because of the many off-road or ATV vehicles operated by unsupervised teenagers and some adults who trespass and who have destroyed existing historical structures in the recent past. Many limestone roads and trails dissect the area in a beautiful pattern amongst old-growth cedar forests. Several old gravel pits pepper the landscape although much of the natural drainage and box canyon formations have been left in tact. The area is in desperate need of protection and restoration. Unfortunately Namaan Forest Road is scheduled to bisect this pristine place and the right of way has already been cleared not more than 30 feet from some these photo locations.

 

 On the other side of the road, the land has already been clear cut and destroyed in preparation for a new shopping mall.