Blue Ridge, in northeast Collin County between Desert and Pilot Grove Creeks, was named for its hilltop location and for blue-flowering grass that looked like a blue haze from a distance. Pioneers began settling the area in the 1830s, and deed records trace back to Matthew Mowry, who received a Republic of Texas land grant for service in the war for Independence from Mexico. Other early settlers included Isadore Boren, who settled seven miles southeast of town in the present-day Arnold Community, Wilson McDonald, John Bowman, and W.C. Holmes, the first doctor. In the 1870s, William and James Moyers opened the first store in a one-room log cabin just south of the town square. Other early establishments included a one-room school, Blue Ridge Masonic Lodge No. 490, the J.A. Barnett Cotton Gin, a variety store, dentist office, Blue Ridge National Bank, and hardware store on the town square. Farmers and ranchers in the area brought business to two local gins, and cotton, corn, wheat, oats, hay, and cattle provided many livelihoods. The first Methodist church was organized in 1880, the first Baptist church in 1885, and citizens recalled an active Church of Christ as early as 1890. Until 1895, all church services were held in the schoolhouse, with each denomination taking turns. In 1937, a high school was constructed with Works Progress Administration labor, and as the population increased, new schools and businesses were established while Blue Ridge's countryside continued to attract people to the area.