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 City of Blooming Grove
N 32° 05.585 W 096° 43.027
14S E 715437 N 3553034
Texas Historical Marker commemorating the origins and history of Blooming Grove, TX, which began life as Gradyville. Located in Garrison Park near the corner of N Fordyce and W South Main Streets, Blooming Grove, TX.
Waymark Code: WMKW6G
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 06/02/2014
Views: 10
Marker Number: 8277
Marker Text:
The history of Blooming Grove can be traced to the small village of Gradyville, established in the 1860s and named for two brothers, R.J. and W.D. Grady, who operated the general store. When the area was granted a postal station in 1871, the name Blooming Grove was chosen. Grady's store served as the location for the post office, with W.H. Glass as postmaster.
When a branch of the Cotton Belt Railroad opened in this area in 1888, the village of Gradyville shifted one mile northeast toward the rail line and became known as Blooming Grove. Its residents voted for incorporation in 1890, and T.J. Scarborough was elected first mayor, with T.H. Butcher as first city marshal. Always a rural community, Blooming Grove has depended heavily on its cotton production and cattle raising for its economic base.
Several institutions have provided the city with strength and continuity throughout its history. Churches founded in the Gradyville area that were maintained in this townsite include Blooming Grove Methodist, Olive Grove Baptist, Blooming Grove Christian, and First Baptist. Public schools began in 1869, and the Blooming Grove Masonic lodge was chartered in 1888. The newspaper, "Blooming Grove Times", was founded in 1890. (1984)
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Visit Instructions:
Please include a picture in your log. You and your GPS receiver do not need to be in the picture. We encourage additional information about your visit (comments about the surrounding area, how you ended up near the marker, etc.) in the log.
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