The Union Bower community was established in the mid-19th century along the Elm Fork banks of the Trinity River in what is now far eastern Irving. Several early settler families came from the La Reunion Colony a few miles to the south, and by 1859, after that colony became defunct, several families relocated to Union Bower. Residents cut cord wood and raised fruits and vegetables for sale in the Dallas market. William and Virginia Smith moved to the area in 1879, and it is believed they named Union Bower after a town in Pennsylvania where William had previously taught school. The Smiths helped bring residents together to work for the community's development and progress. A nondenominational Sunday school was organized in 1885, the Smith family donated land for a community cemetery in 1886, and in 1891 they donated land for a school. Union Bower provided a one-room school for local children during the 1880s, a two-room school opened in 1912, and a third room was added in 1932. The school site remained in use until the early 1960s, when it became part of Irving Independent School District. Irving annexed the Union Bower area in 1956.