MESQUITE

city, Dallas county, northeastern Texas, U.S., adjacent to the city of Dallas (west). It was established in 1873 when the Texas and Pacific Railway acquired land for the townsite (named for the mesquite shrubs that once covered the area), built a depot, and offered lots for sale. The city developed as a residential and industrial centre with many of its residents employed in Dallas, and it experienced rapid expansion after 1950. Tourist attractions include a (seasonal) weekend rodeo and an annual balloon festival. Mesquite is the seat of Eastfield College (1970). Pop. (1990) 101,484; (1994 est.) 113,631.