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Grand Prairie History, Texas

According to the historical records of the Grand Prairie, TX US; this place was first incorporated as a city in the year 1909 by the name of Grand Prairie which was recognized earlier in the year 1863 as Dechman city. This place was named after Alexander McRae Dechman, who realized that he can trade in the Dallas County from his native place Birdville. In the year 1863, Dechman bought land aside the Trinity River but he incurred losses by establishing home there and so returned to his native region Birdville. In the year 1876, a town plat was filed by him including 50 acres of land with Dallas County.

Railroad came to Grand Prairie, TX US in the year 1876 when Dechman sold half his prairie property in the hands of T & P railroad thereby making the rail services available at this place. The foremost church in the Grand Prairie, TX US was built in the year 1870 and was named as Good Hope Cumberland Sabbath School. After some time, this church was renamed as West Fork United Presbytrian Church which is still in existence as a lively church.

The first post office of Grand Prairie, TX US was inaugurated in the year 1877. The post office was named as Deckman instead of Dechman. The post office’s name was Deckman as the post office officials involved in opening the post office could not read properly the name Dechman. The town’s name Grand Prairie was finalized in the year 1877. This town was then renamed as Grand Prairie when a renowned actress instantly proclaimed it Grand Prairie.

The entire land which was under Dechman was sold by him in the year 1890 and after that Dechman shifted to Waxahachie. Grand Prairie has a long background of aviation and defense industry. The modern Vought plant in Jefferson Ave was earlier in Grand Prairie and it was the production site of A-7 Corsair II aircraft and F-8 Crusader amid the years 1950 and 1989. The space and missile department of LTV operated in Grand Prairie and produced popular and effective missiles, including MLRS and scout.

Grand Prairie was earlier renowned for being the prime headquarters of Aérospatiale Helicopter in North America and ultimately the company was known as Eurocopter. The very popular Lion Country Safari was built in the year 1970 in Grand Prairie and was the first safari in the area. The visitors were allowed to drive throughout the safari and explore hippos and lions. Then flood came in the Trinity River and the animals from the safari escaped due to water entering from west division of Trinity River in the safari.

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