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I was confused for awhile. China, nee China Grove, named for Chinaberry trees, formerly Nashland, is west of Houston, close to Beaumont, on Highway 90.

But China Grove is east of San Antonio, near Highway 90. I cannot yet find the origin of its name. It was memorialized by the Doobie Brothers in the song “China Grove”. I have driven through it a few times.

Also, the unincorporated China Grove, south of Houston near Rosharon, was named after chinaberry trees albeit indirectly, since it borrowed its name from the China Grove plantation, which directly took its name from Chinaberry trees. This plantation was owned by Albert Sidney Johnston, who is featured in Joe‘s other post today on “Fort Johnston”.

Now I have to look up to see what a Chinaberry tree is.