Bright Star became Sulphur Springs when the springs became the pitch

Bright Star was a fine frontier name, but local promoters saw a business opportunity in the water. In 1871 they renamed the town Sulphur Springs and advertised the nearby mineral springs as a health resort.

The water story did not stay in tourist ads. The Texas Historical Commission says the town's springs caused years of groundwater trouble under the 1895 courthouse. A landmark built to anchor the town was fighting the reason the town had its name.

A state restoration repaired stone, windows, building systems, and water damage before the courthouse was rededicated in December 2002. On the square today, the old resort pitch and the restored civic landmark still belong to the same story.