Groom, Texas, Old Route 66. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

The Man:
The town was named for "Colonel" B. B. Groom (1812-1906), an English-born cattleman who imported shorthorn and Angus cattle. Groom, who had a substantial estate in Kentucky, lost most of his fortune and by 1882, as a widower in his 70's, he was hired to be general manager for the Francklyn Land and Cattle Company.

To his credit, Groom was the first to hire well-drillers to provide water for the ranch's cattle, however, his enthusiastic acquisition of land for the Francklyn Company caused its bankruptcy (and subsequent reorganization as the White Deer Lands Trust) in 1886.

Groom, with his son Harry, became managers for the Mortimer Land Company of Chicago. These leased holdings in SE Gray County were for years known as "the Groom pasture." Colonel Groom entertained guests at this well-tended ranch until the manager of the White Deer Lands refused to renew the lease. Son Harry left for El Paso, where he eventually became president of the American Livestock Association and Colonel Groom left Texas, eventually returning to England, where he died in 1906.

The Town:
In 1902 the town of Groom was platted to be on the approaching Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railway. A store / post office was established that same year.

By 1906, the town was thriving with a bank, hotel, lumberyard, school, barber and several stores. Groom suffered one fire in 1912 and another in 1915.

In 1928 the town's infrastructure was installed and the main street was paved.

Populations of Groom:
1911 - 250
1931 - 564
1972 - 808
1984 - 7361990 - 613

Groom, Texas Landmarks / Attractions:

The leaning water tower east of Groom along I-40 (Old Route 66)
Photo courtesy Jimmy Dobson, August 2017

The Cross at Groom
Along the highway in Groom, this cross, reputed to be the 2nd largest in the Western Hemisphere, stands tall over the Texas plains.
Photo courtesy Noel Kerns

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