User:Jmbranum/The Grove, Texas



The Grove is an unincorporated community in Coryell County, Texas, United States, located sixteen miles southeast of Gatesville in eastern Coryell County.

The Grove is located on Texas highway 36.

The area is know for its prolific displays of Texas Bluebonnets in the spring.



History
The Grove was established around 1859 and was named for a grove of Texas Live Oak trees nearby.

By the late 1860's, the community had two general stores, a mill and a cotton gin.

In 1870, a group of Wendish settlers from Weigersdorf, Germany arrived. Shortly thereafter, they established St. Paul Lutheran Church (which exists to this day). By this time, there were also Baptist, Methodist, Disciples of Christ and Presbyterian churches in the community.

In 1874 the post office was established. J. B. Coleman was the first postmaster.

Between 1880 and 1900, the community continued to grow with three general stores, two grocery stores and a population of 150. By the first decade of the 1900's the community had a two-teacher public school (with 60 students) and a Lutheran private school.

During the 1940's, the community began to decline when it was bypassed by highway 36. Later in the decade, several local farmers were forced to relocated due to the construction of what would later become the North Fort Hood training center of Fort Hood. Due to population declines, the public school in The Grove was closed in 1948, while the Lutheran school continued to operate until 1962.

The population of The Grove has varied over the years from a height of 400 around the turn of the century until about 65 as of 2000.

Today the St. Paul Lutheran Church is still active in the community. The old church cemetery is a few miles away on highway 36. Many of the town's original buildings are still standing on Main Street, many of which have been restored to their former glory. On many weekends, there is music and local bands performing on Main Street.