Bullard Water Well

On this site, the historic town well of Bullard marks the origin of the community. In 1883, the Kansas and Gulf Short Line railroad extended tracks from Tyler to Lufkin, and the town of Bullard, named for postmaster John Henry Bullard, supplanted the earlier communities of Etna and Hewsville. A reliable public water source helped Bullard to grow and thrive. This and other wells in Smith County utilize the Carrizo-Wilcox major aquifer and the Queen City minor aquifer. Water can be drawn by pumps, windmills, or buckets lowered to the water table. This natural resource provided drinking water for people and animals and also served as a social gathering place early in Bullard’s history.

Bullard Water Well is a historical marker in Bullard, Smith County, dedicated in 2009. It is one of 90 historical markers documented in Smith County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 272 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.1399, -95.3211 near Bullard. The nearest cataloged historic site is Bullard Cemetery (historical marker), about 0.7 miles away. Others within a short drive include New Hope Cemetery #1, Bowie Cemetery, and Rather Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507016012. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.