Why do they call it China Grove? The story of this unincorporated community in Brazoria County, Texas is deeply rooted in the history of a plantation. Let me tell you about China Grove.
China Grove owes its name to Warren D. C. Hall. He established a plantation here. Hall wasn’t just any planter. He had a keen interest in botany. Besides cotton, he cultivated citrus, roses, and figs. Most notably, he planted chinaberry trees. These trees provided shade and gave the plantation its distinctive name.
In 1843, Hall sold the plantation to Albert Sidney Johnston and Albert T. Burnley. Johnston later bought out Burnley’s interest. He continued to operate the plantation until 1849. Then he sold it in 1852. Johnston was a Confederate General in the Civil War.
The Columbia Tap Railroad played a role in China Grove’s history. A station was established across the tracks from the plantation. It served the area from around 1877 to 1892. In 1892, the town of Custer was established. Over time, China Grove gradually faded. By the 1970s, only a single building remained.
China Grove once had separate schools for white and black students. In 1896, the black school had 87 pupils. By 1906, two black schools served 108 students. That same year, the white school had only seven students. In 1947, China Grove became a common school district. It had both white and black schools.
Today, little remains of the original plantation. However, some hedges of Cherokee roses still exist. They are thought to have been planted by Johnston. The China Grove Cemetery also marks the location. It reminds us of the plantation that never transitioned into a town.
China Grove is located near several towns. It is two miles south of Rosharon. Also, it is twelve miles north of Angleton. It lies west of Texas State Highway 288. China Grove is also 29 miles north of Freeport. Houston is 33 miles to the north.
So, as you stand here, remember Warren D.C. Hall’s vision. Think of the chinaberry trees providing shade. Picture the trains stopping at the Columbia Tap Railroad station. Imagine the students learning in the one-room schoolhouses. Though time has passed, the name China Grove still evokes a sense of history.