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. . . . — — Map (db m212843) HM
In 1869, Richard and Susan Gowan gave land on Rush Creek (1 Mi SE) 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 . . . — — Map (db m212840) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m212836) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m212841) HM
