Fruitvale

Fruitvale began as a community by the name, Bolton Station, when the Texas and Pacific Railway built a siding or a switch in 1873 halfway between Grand Saline and Edgewood.  The town began to grow in 1885 when W.B. Hart bought the John Marrs' Mercer's Colony grant of timberland east of town and organized a timber cutting camp to supply crossties for the railroad and furnish  cord wood to the Dallas area from his cutting camp.  

          In 1885, a community school was begun and named Bolton School #73.  On January 14, 1886, a U.S. Post Office was granted under the name of "Towles".  Green Roberson was the postmaster.

           Other federal administrations changed the names of post offices around the country. Bolton was no different. It was named Speed, Riley, and finally in 1903, became Fruitvale.  The way that came about is the fact the second boom came about when outsiders more specially Dallas County citizens, discovered the rich and cheap land to be had in the area.  The area was becoming known as a vegetable and fruit growing spot to settle down in.

            In 1913, the County School Board recognized Fruitvale with the distinction of "Independent" School of Fruitvale.  It was that year that a new school building was being built in the Creagle Addition.

            About that time, the town boasted having two gins, two barbers, two doctors and two lumberyards, as well as a number of other businesses.   1914 was also the year the Fruitvale Commercial Club was formed with 80 members. It moved the town along somewhat.  

Fast forward to 1964, the Fruitvale Community Water Supply began operations with one well. By 2025, it had thirteen wells and supplied 1,267 customers.

          In 1965, Fruitvale incorporated and in 1979 began a high school installed one year at a time. The school campus grew from ten acres in 1938 to 70+ acres at the present time.