Wizard Wells

The Handbook of Texas tells Vineyard's cure as a legend and dates it to the 1880s. In 1890 the old town had about 100 people, a general store, a blacksmith and a barber. The second Vineyard, two miles south, grew around the depot of the Rock Island line built from Bridgeport to Jacksboro; its first settler was Tom Anderson, and it had 212 people by 1925 and a brick school by 1933. Wizard Wells itself held near 175 residents from the 1920s into the 1940s, and about sixty-nine from 1986 through 2000.

What the plaque says

The Kiowa Indians first visited this location and used the mineral waters for medical purposes. George Washington Vineyard settled here in the 1870s, taking up a claim originally established by David Rowland. Vineyard dug this well for his home but the mineral-tasting water was not used. He suffered from sore eyes and from ulcers on his legs but was cured by bathing in and drinking the water. The news spread and visitors suffering from arthritis, rheumatism, stomach disorders, and skin diseases began coming to the well. Those seeking treatments often camped along Bean's Creek in their wagons. Soon three hotels and several bath houses opened to serve the increased visitor population. The town of Vineyard was laid out in 1882 and J. H. Grisham opened the first general store. The town later included several churches, a newspaper, school; sawmill, blacksmith shop, and post office. In 1898 the Rock Island Railroad bypassed Vineyard and Sebree community was started (2 miles south). Visitors arriving by train took a hack to the resort. H. F. Stamper and his sons, Clint and H. F. Jr., petitioned the Legislature in 1915 and the name of Vineyard became "Wizard Wells". Sebree was changed to Vineyard. (1980)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Fort Richardson State Park and Historic Site — 10 mi
  The northernmost post of the Texas frontier line, outside Jacksboro, where a stone hospital and six other buildings stand from 1867 and a later Guard unit became the Lost Battalion.

More markers nearby

• Jack County — 11 mi
• Butterfield Stage Line — 11 mi
• First Baptist Church of Jacksboro — 11 mi
• Mobilization Site of Lost Battalion — 11 mi