In area settled about 1850. Founded 1872 by International & Great Northern Railway investors. Named for rank wild grapevines. Post Office opened May 26, 1873.

Log schoolhouse, used also for church services, was first public building. Disciples of Christ and Methodists
erected first church buildings. Business section was rebuilt of brick after 1913 fire. Town was incorporated in 1924.

Oil and gas, produced since 1936, enrich an economy based on peanuts, ranching, truck crops, cotton, and manufacturing. Town is now known as gateway to the 1500 - acre Houston County Lake

(1972)

State Historical Survey Committee