Groesbeck, Texas

Groesbeck is a city in and the county seat of Limestone County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,328 at the 2010 census. The community is named after a railroad employee.HistoryThe city of Groesbeck was dedicated as a township by Houston and Texas Central Railroad in 1869. It was named for Abram Groesbeeck, a railroad director. The difference in spelling between the person and town is a result of the Post Office directives for simpler spelling. Development of its city government began in 1871. Groesbeck became the county seat of Limestone county in 1873 and is home to the "Million Dollar Courthouse." Old Fort Parker Historical Site on north side of Groesbeck is preserved to tell the story of Cynthia Ann Parker, who was captured by Comanches, and became the mother of Quannah Parker the last Comanche chief. The last legal execution in Limestone County occurred on April 12, 1895, when Richard Burleson, who had been convicted of murdering James Garrett McKinnon, was hanged in front of the courthouse in Groesbeck.GeographyGroesbeck is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.8sqmi, of which, 3.8sqmi of it is land and 0.27% is water.The community is located at the junction of State Highways 14 and 164.Groesbeck is the closest town to historic Old Fort Parker. See Fort Parker massacre. The Fort holds an annual Christmas event at the site of old Fort Parker every December. The original fort has been re-built on the original site to exact specifications.