Groveton in Trinity County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Groveton

Photographed by Steve Gustafson, September 18, 2011

1. Groveton Marker

Inscription. Named for a grove of black jack oak trees, Groveton resulted from the establishment of the Trinity County Lumber Company sawmill in 1882. After the Trinity and Sabine Railroad Company built a sixty-five mile branch line through area forests, the Trinity County Lumber Company bought about 29,000 acres of land from the Trinity and Sabine Timber Company, leaving acreage on either side of the railroad tracks for a town.

The county seat was moved from Pennington to Groveton in 1882. By 1884 the first permanent court house was completed and the town included a barber shop, grocery store, drug store, hotel, boarding house, several saloons, homes, and a school. The city was incorporated on September 29, 1919 and officials were elected.

By 1930 all the timber for miles had been cut; consequently, the sawmill closed December 31, 1930. The once prosperous town of Groveton went into decline. The Civilian Conservation Corps was responsible for road construction and a reforestation program in the 1930s. Through the years Groveton has seen economic booms and hard times, but as the county seat, it has survived to leave a rich heritage.

Erected 1991

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by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7960.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1986.

Location. 31° 3.342′ N, 95° 7.608′ W. Marker is in Groveton, Texas, in Trinity County. It is at the intersection of First Street (U.S. 287) and Main Street, on the left when traveling east on First Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 162 W First St, Groveton TX 75845, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the

Photographed by Steve Gustafson, September 18, 2011

2. Groveton Marker

Beside Trinity County Seats marker in front of courthouse.

crow flies: Trinity County Seats (here, next to this marker); Trinity County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); First Methodist Church of Groveton (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Washington Carver School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Glenwood Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); Site of the Town of Sumpter (approx. 4.6 miles away); Steele's Academy (approx. 11 miles away); Site of the Town of Sebastopol (approx. 12½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Groveton.

Also see . . . Groveton, TX. The Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association (Submitted on March 11, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Photographed by Wesley Harris, May 3, 2025

3. Groveton Marker

Jail near Groveton marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wesley Harris, May 3, 2025

4. Jail near Groveton marker

courthouse behind Groveton marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wesley Harris, May 3, 2025

5. courthouse behind Groveton marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2012, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,315 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 11, 2012, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 12, 2025, by Wesley Harris of Ruston, Louisiana. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.