In 1856, Captain Joseph Ward, a native of New Jersey, settled on a creek fed by numerous springs seventeen miles northeast of Weatherford. In 1859, Ward designed the town square and named the plat Littleton's Springs after a pioneer family. The first settlers found about twenty-five active springs within three major areas: Smith Springs, Malone Springs, and Kinnard Springs. The town received its present name, Springtown, in the mid-1870s because of the beautiful springs that came to the surface on the creek bank just south of the public square. From the beginning, Springtown Square was a bustling place of activity with many businesses nearby. Located in the center of town near a well, the square served as a meeting and gathering place where people came to shop, trade, and visit. The First Methodist Church was organized in 1857. In 1866, the new union church building housed the Methodists, Baptists, and Cumberland Presbyterians, with a different minister leading services each week. By 1877, the town had a school, a hotel, two general stores, two blacksmith shops, and three cotton gins. White's Funeral Home began in 1908 and has served the community for over 100 years. Many schools were established early, and from 1884 to 1894 Springtown became known as the educational capital of Northwest Texas. By 1949-50, Springtown schools were among the most modern and financially independent in Parker County because of oil discovery in the district. Often called Parker County's second city, Springtown grew dramatically from small beginnings and continued as a source of community pride.