Fruitvale, TX

Fruitvale is a Van Zandt County city along US 80 between Edgewood and Grand Saline, in the Sabine River valley's historic fruit-growing district. The place began as Bolton Switch after the Texas and Pacific Railway built a siding here in 1873, then changed names several times before becoming Fruitvale in 1903. Fruit and vegetable growers used the rail siding to ship produce, while cross ties and cordwood gave the early settlement another line of work. A post office has operated in the community since 1899.

Fruitvale's current center is easy to picture: Fruitvale Food Mart at 12483 US 80 is the town's only grocery and doubles as a gas station, while Fruitvale ISD runs from Head Start through 12th grade. The volunteer fire department's annual stew and carnival has been held each October since the 1940s, giving the fire hall a recurring community date. The 2017 tornado brought major damage and injuries, and rebuilding efforts helped restore homes and streets. US 80, the school campus, food mart, and fire-department festival tie today's town to its orchard-and-rail beginning.