Before Wal-Mart

Near the same place as the fence and the rockers on the front porch, was the small road crossing called "Willow Springs, Texas." A store like this was the lifeblood of rural Texas "back in the day." It was a place to buy what you couldn't grow or make yourself; it was the connection with the mail; it was a place for phone messages to be left, and most importantly, it was community meeting place. Many of the stores stand empty today;however, in parts of rural Texas, they still serve the purpose of a place to meet and catch-up on the news of the area. Many times they are the only vestige left of the communities that show up on the road maps, on the signs, and on their signage. Next time you see one of these, turn around, grab a couple of dollars, and go inside.