Grand Saline, Van Zandt County
Providence community, comprised mostly of small family farms, is located in the far northeast section of Van Zandt County, straddling the Smith County line. Since 1845, colonization of the area was encouraged with land grants, and many immigrants from the Southern states of Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee came to own their own land. The area was well-suited for farming with water from the Neches and Sabine rivers, The community also had the Dallas-Shreveport Road and the Texas and Pacific Railroad. A depot, named Grand Saline, was built later and used for travelers and freight. In May 1854, the county commissioners formed a school district for Providence. The school was first named Chrestman School and later Providence School. On Mar. 29, 1873, a Baptist church was established. In June 1888, someone set fire to the school, Baptist church and Grange hall. Eventually new buildings were built. In 1888, a post office was set up but later discontinued in 1908. By 1952, the school was consolidated into the Van school district due to continuing decrease in enrollment. With the cotton industry moving from east Texas to west Texas, soil depletion, and college education becoming more affordable, the younger generation left the area for more opportunities including the oil industry. By 1940, the settlement disappeared from state highway maps. Today, it is moderately populated by descendants of the early settlers as well as newcomers who are engaged in the plant and tree nursery business, hay farming and stock raising. (2012)