De Cordova's map of Navarro County, 1846

by Tim Campbell · first published 20 June 2017 · his original post

This is De Cordova's map of newly formed Navarro County in 1846 which included the area where present day Blooming Grove is located. At that time, although not noted on this map until I took the liberty of inserting it, the nearest community to BG was Dresden, then called "Melton", "Spanky", or "Possum Trot", depending on who you ask. According to Jester's History of Navarro County written in 1922, the village was settled in 1844 by three original inhabitants, being Ethan Melton, John Welch, and William J. Ladd. In 1848 "Melton" lost the vote to be the Navarro County Seat by one vote, with Corsicana being selected as the winner. In 1849 the name "Melton" was changed to Richland, and in 1852 or 1857 (accounts are varied) it was renamed again Dresden, as suggested by William Robinson, a member of a committee of citizens headed by Benjamin Franklin Carroll. It is said a jug of whiskey was passed around at the meeting to celebrate the new and final name of the village. At this time in history the village of Gradyville / Blooming Grove had not yet been formed, although settlers were beginning to move into the general area, many of whom were migrating from Dresden northward. .

This piece was published without a title. The one above was written here; the words below are his.