United States / Grapevine, TX

First Baptist Church of Grapevine. Baptist in the Grapevine prairie area began meeting in their own homes as early as 1846. Worship services later were held in a log schoolhouse on what is now Dooley Street in the community of Grapevine. On December 25, 1869, the pioneers gathered to form a Baptist Church. The eighteen charter members chose A.J. Hallford as their first Pastor. The Church's first sanctuary was completed in 1871. Over the years, First Baptist Church of Grapevine has grown steadily in membership and has provided significant service and leadership to the community. (1984) #1635

301 E. Texas, Grapevine, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #05197

Tarrant County State Bank Building. Constructed in 1897, this building served as retail space until it was purchased and remodeled by the Tarrant County State Bank in 1921. It became the offices of the Grapevine Sun newspaper in 1947. Displaying Classical Revival style elements, the brick structure features a central inset entry, stepped parapet of brick with stone coping and detail, and four Classical pilasters supporting a dentilled cornice of stone. #5197

332 S. main St., Grapevine, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #05508

Torian Log Cabin. This cabin of hand-hewn logs was built along a creek at the edge of the cross timbers near the pioneer community of Dove. It originally stood on a headright settled in 1845 by Francis Throop, a Peters colonist from Missouri. J.C.Wiley bought the property in 1868. He sold it in 1886 to John R. Torian (1836-1909), a farmer from Kentucky. Torian family members occupied the structure until the 1940s. The cabin was moved about four miles to this site in 1976. #5508

205 Main St., Grapevine, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #05345

The Grapevine Sun. Benjamin R. Wall (1876-1955) started the Grapevine Sun in 1895 at the age of nineteen. It was sold in 1897 to James E. Keeling (1847-1925), a native of England. His son Ed took over as editor in 1912 and published the paper with the help of his wife Grady. The weekly printed mostly encouraging news for its readers. When Ed died in 1953 his daughter Zena Keeling Oxford became editor and her husband Gene was typesetter. The sale of the Sun following her death (1976) ended the family connection which lasted 80 years and spanned three generations. (1980) #5345

332 S. Main St., Grapevine, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #14725

Peters Colonists in Tarrant County. #14725

?, Grapevine, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #05399

The Peters Colony in Tarrant County. In 1841, W.S. Peters of Kentucky and associates contracted with the Republic of Texas to bring immigrants to this area. By 1848, Peters Colony land covered nearly 2 million acres in north central Texas, including all of Tarrant County. Speculation in unlocated land certificates was rampant. About 150 colonists and their families, most of whom were American-born farmers of meager means, settled in Tarrant County. As the most extensive empresario enterprise undertaken by the Republic, the Peters Colony helped open this area of Texas to settlement. #5399

?, Grapevine, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02736

James Tracy Morehead. Virginia native James Tracy Morehead came to Texas with his family in 1852, settling in newly organized Tarrant County. Two years later, he was chosen to serve as the County's third Chief Justice. He is credited with naming the town of Grapevine, originally known as Dunnville. His suggested name came from the Grape Vine Springs, a pioneer landmark located east of the settlement. Although he served only one term as Chief Justice, Judge Morehead remained active in government. In 1858 he presided over the elections that organized neighboring Parker County. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986. #2736

Wildwood Rd. at N Dooley, Grapevine, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02254

Grapevine Cemetery. Samuel D. Coble (1830-1890), joined later by his brother Allen B. Coble (1836-1906), settled here in the 1850s. In 1878 they sold 4.5 acres of land at this site for use as a public cemetery. The oldest known grave is that of Louisa C. Guiry (d. 1860), who died at the age of 22. Many pioneer settlers of the area are buried here, including Barton H. Starr (1850-1912), elected the first Mayor of Grapevine in 1907, and James Tracy Morehead (1809-1897), who served as the second Judge of Tarrant County. Additional land south of the original tract was acquired in 1925. (1980) #2254

N. Dooley St. & Wildwood Cane, Grapevine, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03397

Minters Chapel Methodist Church. Four pioneer area families established this congregation about 1854. Early services were conducted in a log cabin on land donated by James Cate for the church, a school and a cemetery. The congregational name was chosen in honor of the Rev. Green Washington Minter (1803-87), who was instrumental in the founding and early growth of the fellowship. Despite hardships, the church became a focal point of the community it served. It was moved here in 1967 when the original location was included within boundaries of the Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Airport. (1982) #3397

4344 Heritage Avenue, Grapevine, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03396

Minter's Chapel Cemetery. Soon after lay Minister Green W. Minter (1803-1887) moved here about 1854, he helped organize Minter's Chapel Methodist Church. His son-in-law James Cate set aside 4.1 acres here for a church and burial ground. The earliest marked grave is that of A.M. Newton in 1857. Many tiny graves indicate a high child mortality rate. The early log meetinghouse was replaced in 1882 by a frame structure. In 1967 the Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Airport acquired the land, except for this 1.5-acre cemetery, and the church was relocated. (1979) #3396

W. Airfield Dr., Grapevine, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02253

Grapevine. Wild mustang grapes growing profusely in this area inspired the name "Grapevine" for this community. Ambrose Foster (1794?-1847) and his wife Susannah Medlin (1796-1876) were among the first settlers in 1845, from Platte County, Missouri. The Fosters, their daughters and sons-in-law acquired land that became the heart of Grapevine. Within the first year worship services and school classes were conducted. Cattle raising was the major enterprise prior to the Civil War. Beef cattle were sold to Camp Worth (present Fort Worth) by Archibald Leonard, Fosters' son-in-law, who owned a mercantile store. In 1858 a Federal Post Office was established and run by Solon Dunn. During the 1870s the village was also known as "Dunnville". In 1914 the name became "Grapevine". After the Cotton Belt Railroad line opened in 1888, the town thrived as a shipping center for cotton, grain, truck crops and dairy products. In 1907 Grapevine incorporated. By 1934 two major paved roads leading to Dallas and Fort Worth were constructed. A dam built in 1942 on Denton Creek formed Lake Grapevine. It serves as a water supply, flood control measure, and a recreational area. In 1974 the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport opened within the city limits. (1979) #2253

211 Main St., Grapevine, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02673

J. E. Foust & Sons, Funeral Directors. John E. Foust (1861-1926) moved to Grapevine in 1880 and started a general merchandise store which stocked coffins. He gradually added other services and with the help of his wife Daisy (Huitt) (1876-1963) established a funeral company. A civic leader, Foust also assisted in the development of other area businesses. His son John E. Foust, II (1898-1978), joined the firm in 1923. Following his father's death he managed the Funeral Home and mercantile store until the 1960s. For over 100 years Foust family members have served in the business and civic activities of Grapevine. (1981) #2673

523 Main, Grapevine, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03942

Parker Memorial Cemetery. The first burial here is thought to be that of Christina Driskill (1797-1862), whose son-in-law Isaac Green Parker (1816-1875) owned the land. In 1881 Parker's widow, Mary (Polly) Parker Turner (1820-1897) deeded the 4.31-acre plot for a public burial ground. A tabernacle was erected in 1928 and used at first for funeral services and later for meetings of the cemetery association. Formerly known as "Clements Cemetery", it was renamed "Parker" in 1937. Many members of the Pleasant Glade Community are buried here. #3942

FM 121 and Hall - Johnson Road, Grapevine, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03419

Missouri Colony. In 1844 related families from Platte County, Missouri, settled in this area. James Gibson, one of the earliest settlers in Tarrant County, owned this site. In 1845 more relatives and friends arrived. They became known as the "Missouri Colony". The pioneers raised cattle and grain. John. A Freeman taught school and preached to the settlers at Lonesome Dove. Some original colonists moved to pioneer other frontier regions. Others remained to help build the northeastern section of Tarrant County, the first permanently settled area in the county. (1979) #3419

?, Grapevine, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03470

Morgan Hood Survey Pioneer Cemetery. Originally part of the Morgan Hood Survey, this small cemetery (75 ft. SE) has been abandoned for over a century. Its one visible grave is marked with portions of a sandstone burial cairn, a common method of marking graves in this area in the 1850s-1870s. The subject of speculation since no written records remain, the graves may be those of members of the Peters Colony, early pioneers who entered the Grapevine area in 1844. Although nearly all traces of the cemetery are gone, it serves as a reminder of Tarrant County's early days of settlement. (1983) #3470

SH 26, NE of Grapevine, Grapevine, TX, United States