Picture this. You are standing in Grand Prairie. This bustling city in Texas has a rich history. It wasn’t always known as Grand Prairie. The story begins in 1863. That’s when Alexander McRae Dechman arrived. His wagon broke down. He traded it for land. This land became the foundation of Grand Prairie.
Dechman named his settlement after Big Prairie Ohio. He had lived in Young County near Fort Belknap. The 1860 census lists him as owning four slaves. Dechman attempted to build a home. He faced difficulties and returned to his family. He later joined the Civil War.
After the war Dechman returned. He sold his Birdville farm in 1867. He moved to Houston but yellow fever drove him to Bryan. In 1876 Dechman made a clever trade. He gave the Texas and Pacific Railroad half his land. In return the railroad built a line through his town. The depot was named Dechman. He finally moved his home to Dechman. His son Alexander ran a trading post and farm there. A church called the Good Hope Cumberland Sabbath School was established in 1870. It’s now known as the West Fork United Presbyterian Church.
The first post office opened in 1877. It was initially called Deckman. The Postal Service misread Dechman’s application. The railroad however used the name Grand Prairie. This name came from maps. They labeled the area between Dallas and Fort Worth the grand prairie of Texas. To avoid confusion the post office was renamed Grand Prairie.
Grand Prairie was incorporated as a city in 1909. Its location near Dallas and Fort Worth fueled growth. The city became a major player in defense and aviation. The Vought plant was initially located in Grand Prairie. During World War II it produced B-24 Liberators and P-51 Mustangs. Vought later became Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV) then returned to Vought. LTV’s missile division was sold to Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin still operates in Grand Prairie. Grand Prairie also housed the North American headquarters of Aérospatiale Helicopter. This company later became Airbus Helicopters Inc.
The city’s growth wasn’t always smooth. In 1953 Grand Prairie tried to annex land. Neighboring cities fiercely opposed this. The annexation attempt ultimately failed. Grand Prairie however continued to expand and thrive. It’s a testament to the resilience and vision of its people. It’s a place shaped by pioneering spirits. It has a deep connection to the land. It’s a place that continues to grow and evolve. It is a place that is full of history and adventure. Grand Prairie is a captivating story that unfolds before your very eyes.