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Grandview texas6/11/2023 ![]() The cemetery continued to serve the community, now known by the single word "Grandview." The cemetery and the original town site remain as a chronicle of the pioneers of Johnson County. The cemetery gradually took over the entire old town site. The railroad came through about a mile southeast of the town in 1881, and by 1883 the main section of Grand View had moved to it. They were among Grand View's earliest settlers. The African American section of the cemetery contains the graves of many residents, including the unmarked graves of Scott and Elmira Matlock. The people of the community buried her in a handmade coffin and marked her tombstone "Annie," the name on an embroidered handkerchief she carried. The young woman was found murdered the next morning with no sign of her companion. A pair of young travelers came to Grand View one evening in summer 1867. Of the many graves in the cemetery, one has taken on the status of local legend. Several stores, a saloon, and more churches were established as the community grew. After James Scurlock's death during the Civil War, his family sold the town site to F. 266, A.F & A.M., chartered in 1861 as the first Masonic lodge in Johnson County. ![]() By 1860 Grand View included three general stores, a blacksmith shop, a church building and Lodge No. and Rebecca Criner Scurlock's child, James C., who was born and died on June 4, 1857. The oldest marked burial here is that of James F. Scurlock purchased about 1400 acres of land surrounding the cemetery the same year. Intending to lay out a town plat, James F. Kirtley, is credited with naming this town in 1854 by saying, "What a Grand View!" Kirtley donated 2.5 acres for a Baptist church and cemetery in 1856. John Whitmire, the son-in-law of early settler F. Grandview Cemetery and Original Grand View Town Site. Located at the Community Center, 206 Crier Street, Grandview. Town name changed to Grandview (one word) in 1925. Devastating 1920 fire razed 135 homes, schools, churches, and businesses. Home of Grand View Collegiate Institute 1897-1907. Town moved to this site, on Missouri-Kansas-Texas rail line, in 1883. Masonic lodge (county's first) founded 1860. A visitor exclaimed, "What a grand view!" Which gave community its name. Supplies were hauled by ox wagon from Houston. Settled in 1850 on land grant from Governor Elisha M.
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