Spring Branch has a long history that would probably surprise many people new to the area. Like many of Houston's older neighborhoods, its character has dramatically changed over the years, and it has evolved with its own unique qualities.
It was originally settled by German immigrants fleeing oppressive conditions back home, who sought the opportunity to own land in the newly formed Lone Star State. Many of those immigrant families set roots in an area near Buffalo Bayou that they named Spring Branch, and operated dairy farms, sawmills, and other ventures as they acclimated themselves to the climate in this part of Texas, which was very different than what they were used to in Germany.
In 1848, the settler families founded the Church of St. Peter, and a few short years later, erected a log cabin in which the church services would be held. Once the permanent church was built, the community turned its eyes toward establishing a school for the area's kids to attend. That school began in 1865, with classes being taught by the church's minister. But as time went on, it was felt that a public school with a trained teacher was needed, so in 1889 a simple schoolhouse was erected to meet that need. That school was built on the site of what is now Spring Branch Elementary School.
Early on, Spring Branch encompassed a huge area extending from Texas 6 to what is now the 610 Loop, and from old Hempstead Highway to Buffalo Bayou. Much of that area was still dominated by farmland until the early 1950s, although the unincorporated land was beginning to see a post-war housing boom that would result in many area homes being built. In the early '50s, the area was beginning to feel the pressure of imminent annexation into Houston. There was a drive by many residents to incorporate as separate municipalities to avoid absorption into the big city, something they thought might negatively affect the quality of life they enjoyed at the time. In short order, the Memorial Villages, a group of six separate communities, managed to incorporate, but in 1957 Houston annexed the remaining area of what is now modern day Spring Branch.
