Ables Springs, a small settlement in a region of natural springs in northeast Kaufman County, was named for an early county family. James Ables and Eliza Godfrey Ables moved to the area in 1853 and settled on land granted to his father, Ezekiel Ables, in 1838. Active Methodists, the Ables deeded nearly nine acres of their land in 1878 to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and a church building, a tabernacle, and a public school were built there, with part of the site set aside for a cemetery whose oldest marked grave dates to 1880. Never the scene of much commercial activity, Ables Springs remained a quiet rural settlement throughout its history. In addition to the Methodist congregation, Church of Christ and Baptist fellowships were organized there. Before World War I, the community had an active Woodman of the World Lodge. The tabernacle on the Methodist church property hosted many religious camp meetings, and the school played a vital role in the community until it was consolidated with other school districts. As a reminder of early settlement in northeast Kaufman County, Ables Springs is an important part of the area's pioneer heritage.