"Keeweechic's Mesquite" a Mesquite Travel Page by keeweechic

Mesquite is a city in Dallas county which was established in 1873 when the Texas and Pacific Railway acquired the land, built a depot and offered lots for sale. No one is sure but it is believed that the name Mesquite was taken from an abundant amount of mesquite trees in the area. The town began with a saloon, blacksmith shop, confectionary store, the post office and depot and four homes. In 1887 an election was held which resulted in Mesquite being only the second community to incorporate outside of Dallas proper. As news got around of this new official town, people slowly started to move into the area and new business sprung up. The city was then developed as a residential and industrial centre with many of its residents being employed in Dallas. After 1950 the city started to rapidly expand and is now the twenty-fifth fastest growing city in the United States with a population now of over 150,000, a vast difference from 1950 when residents totaled 1,684. There is something like 65 churches in the area.

Tourist attractions include a (seasonal) weekend rodeo and an annual balloon festival. There are many parks and recreation activities as well as the Devil’s Bowl Speedway. There is also first class medical care and hospitals in the area and new schools, housing subdivisions and industry are quickly usurping farmland for development.