Sept. 21, 2026

Priscilla: I am new to Burleson and love the picturesque little stream that meanders through Warren Park. It is referred to by different names. Why is that?

John: The name of the stream is confusing. Early in the development of Burle-son, the creek was called Town Branch.

On April 3, 1962, when Jack Taylor was mayor, Alderman W.N. Wood was late to the City Council meeting because recent rains flooded the low water crossings on Town Branch and Alderman Wood had a difficult time finding a safe route across the swollen creek.

A portion of the City Council Minutes that night read, “A motion was made by W.N. Wood to change the name of Town Branch to Little Booger Creek. The motion was seconded by E.E. Harris and passed unanimously.

The name of Town Branch must have been considered too bland for an up and coming city, such as Burleson. In 1962, “Little Booger” represented respect and power. Being called a “little booger” was considered a compliment.

Another term of endearment in this era was “ring-tailed tooter.” When J.B. Crawford was forming Burleson’s first baseball little league, any boy regardless of age could play on a team. One of the preschoolers that joined a team was especially good for his age and gained the respect of Mr. Crawford, who referred to him as a “ring-tailed tooter.”

These two terms of endearment, “little booger” and “ring-tailed tooter,” were also prominent in my hometown of Gober, Texas. I always wanted to be a ring-tale tooter, but I did not have the personality or the ability. My cousin 

Pesky, did earn the description and we all looked up to him.

In the fourth grade, I had my eye on this red-headed, freckle-faced girl. I wanted her to be my girlfriend, but I was too shy to ask. One day after school she called me a “cute little booger.” My heart skipped a beat and I nearly fainted, but I recovered and ran home with a smile on my face wondering if this could be true love.

In 1962, I moved my family to Burleson. The creek had been officially named Little Booger Creek and many ring-tailed tooters were playing little league ball.

On March 8,2001, the Burleson City Council passed a motion to change the name of Little Booger Creek to Town Creek. I believe this name change ha something to do with Burleson applying for a governmentgrant and the city probably thought those approving the grant might not understand the endearing feeling thouse of us living in Burleson had for our creek meandering though Warren Park.

Today this action might be considerd politically correct, but personally I am pit off by political correctness and I would prefer that the name be changed back to Little Booger Creek-a name of power and respect.

John Duke Smith is a Burleson history buff. Ask him a question you’ve always wondered about with the subject “Ask John” at [email protected] and what he finds out nay be a future column.

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