Texas Historical Marker #08279

Blooming Grove United Methodist Church. In 1869, Richard and Susan Gowan gave land on Rush Creek (1 mile southeast) for a Methodist Church and cemetery. Gowan, his neighbors, and others built a white frame chapel for church and school. That building was moved to Blooming Grove in 1887. Second sanctuary was built in 1893 on the present site. The Methodist denomination operated (1899-1913) Central Texas College in Blooming Grove, increasing work of this church. Dr. Clovis Chappell (1882-1972) and Dr. E. B. Hawk (1881-1963), pastors who later won national renown, led in building (1913) the present edifice. The congregation has given 22 men to the ministry. (1974) #8279

Kerr & Third St., Blooming Grove, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #08277

City of Blooming Grove. 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) #8277

S Main and Fordyce, Blooming Grove, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #11616

Dresden Cemetery. The pioneer town of Dresden was originally named for its founder, Ethan Melton (1793-1873), who settled here in 1841. The first post office in Navarro County was established in Melton in 1846. The original three-acre portion of this cemetery, probably opened for burials in the 1840s, was donated to the community by Ethan Melton by 1850. In 1852 the growing settlement, also called "Richland" or "Spanky," was renamed "Dresden" by Jacob Hartzell (1790-1881), who operated an Indian trading post, and Dr. W. S. Robinson (1823-87), the town's first doctor. Many of the early graves in Dresden Cemetery are unmarked or marked with plain stones from nearby Post Oak Creek. Among the oldest marked graves are those of Barnett Hollingsworth (1801-74), one of the 48 Civil War veterans buried here, and the Rev. James Johnson (1803-77), a Cumberland Presbyterian minister. Dresden Methodist Church, serving as a community church, has occupied a site adjacent to the cemetery since the 1850s. Care for the burial ground is provided by the Dresden Cemetery Association, whose members have met annually since its founding in 1877. The plot now (1976) covers 17.09 acres with over 2,000 graves. The pioneer village has vanished, but Dresden Cemetery is still used by descendants of the first settlers. #11616

?, Blooming Grove, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #11643

Site of University Training School - Central Texas College. In 1899, the Corsicana District of the Northwest Texas Methodist Conference established a college preparatory school. The following year, the University Training School opened at this site under the direction of the Rev. J. W. Adkisson, a respected Christian educator. In 1909, a junior college curriculum was added and the institution was renamed Central Texas College. The 15-acre campus included an ornate three-story Victorian main building. Although the school closed in 1912, it had a lasting impact on the development of educational systems in Blooming Grove. #11643

?, Blooming Grove, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #11617

Dresden United Methodist Church. The Rev. James E. Ferguson (1824-76), father of Texas Governor James Ferguson, was appointed in 1847 to Richland (later Dresden), the first Methodist circuit in Navarro County. Ethan Melton (1793-1873), the founder of Dresden -- which was "Richland" in his day -- gave land for a school, cemetery, and the church. A log cabin meetinghouse stood here in 1847. A storm razed that structure; fire, another. The present building stands near the original land. This church helped Blooming Grove Mission become a full-fledged church and has also aided other congregations. #11617

?, Blooming Grove, TX, United States

Subjects

Texas Historical Marker #08278

Blooming Grove School. Early pioneer Richard Gowan donated land one mile southeast of this site in 1869, on which the citizens of Gradyville (later renamed Blooming Grove), erected a small white building to house a church, community meeting place, and school. The Rev. G. P. Miller served as the first teacher. Soon the little school was too small, and in 1878 a large frame school building was erected near the town's general store. When the Cotton Belt Railroad completed a new line from Corsicana to Hillsboro in 1888, the town moved one mile north to "new" Blooming Grove on the rail line. By 1890 another school, a two-story frame structure, was built in the new town. In 1910 a red brick school building replaced the frame one. The Blooming Grove Independent School District was created by the Legislature in 1917. S. W. Henderson, superintendent from 1920 to 1925, gained accreditation for the school. By 1930 the red brick building was so deteriorated that it was condemned. Classes were held in area churches until yet another building could be erected the next year. A new junior/senior high school was completed in 1984, followed by a new elementary school in 1985. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986 #8278

200 block of Grady Street, Blooming Grove, TX, United States