Texoma has a rich history and there are numerous landmarks throughout the area revealing where historical events occurred, famous people lived and examples of architecture from the 1800’s. Texoma was home to US Presidents, Statesmen, artist, architects, educators, inventors and entrepreneurs who played key roles in the development of our country.
Texoma landmarks include homes, churches, buildings, schools, bridges, parks, and forts – many of which date back to the 1800’s.
Denison, Texas 75020
Carpenters Bluff Bridge was originally built as a railroad bridge for the Missouri, Oklahoma and Gulf (MO&G) Line in 1910. Built to withstand major floods, the deck clearance is 19 feet high. The bridge was designed to include a wagon shelf, an extra lane that served travelers on foot and horseback, as well as horse-drawn vehicles. In 2017 a new bridge and bypass was built for modern vehicle traffic. The original bridge still stands beside the new bridge and is a landmark structure across the Red River. Officially closed the adventurous can walk across it and enjoy the incredible views of the Red River and surrounding countryside.
Denison, Texas 75020
Ernst Martin Kohl (1857-1935), former German Navy captain who came to Denison in 1885, built the first floor of this structure in 1893 to house a grocery store and saloon. He added the top three floors in 1909-11 as his family's residence. In the 1930s, this building became the Traveler's Hotel, drawing business from the nearby railroad district. Purchased in 1968 by Mr. and Mrs. Bud Tucker, it was sold in 1975 to Dr. and Mrs. D. H. Brandt and restored by their sons,
Denison, Texas 75020
Located in the heart of Denison, Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Park showcases the home where the 34th U.S. President Dwight David “Ike” Eisenhower was born in 1890. Antique furnishings fill the modest frame house, illustrating the working class life of the Eisenhower's. The visitors center celebrates Ike with memorabilia and exhibits featuring his many accomplishments as president and war hero. A larger-than life statue of the general, landscaped grounds and picnic tables round out the place where everything started for the first Texas-born president.
Denison, TX
The 16 foot bust of former President and Five Star General Dwight David Eisenhower along U.S. 75 in Denison honors our 34th president and pays tribute to veterans like "Ike". The statue features Eisenhower in military uniform. The statue by artist David Adickes is the centerpiece for the Eisenhower Veterans Monument located at the entrance to Loy Lake Park, next to Frontier Village and Museum. The ground surrounding the bust is paved with engraved bricks bearing the names of local veterans of the armed forces. this memorial is well worth the stop!
Durant, OKLAHOMA 74701
Built in 1842, Fort Washita was the southwestern-most military post of the United States. Fort Washita was assigned the responsibility of maintaining peace for the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations within their new lands, pursuant to treaty obligations. Threats to the new home of the Chickasaw people came from attacks by Republic of Texas militia, interference by unscrupulous intruders, constant raids by Plains tribes, the presence of traders and trappers and unsettled scores with some of the Plains tribes due to disputes concerning hunting grounds. Fort Washita operated as a United States military post until the start of the Civil War in 1861. It was occupied by Confederate forces through 1865. The fort was almost entirely destroyed by the Confederates as they fled at the end of the Civil War. Group tours are available but must be scheduled in advance
Denison, Texas 75020
Come visit Grayson County's oldest and most historic homes and structures, cared for and restored by a dedicated group of volunteers and history enthusiast. Frontier Village and Museum sits on 14 acres along U.S. 75 inside Loy Park between Sherman and Denison, Texas preserving the log cabins and homes of the pioneers who settled in Grayson County in the nineteenth century. Through the years, the village has added nine more pioneer homes, a large collection old mule-drawn farm implements and several other buildings house items of historical interest. Five of the home in the village have Texas Historical Markers. Many historical items are housed in the museum. Frontier Village and Museum is open to the public daily (except Tuesday) and regularly holds demonstrations of the early pioneers living as well as craft events and festivals.
Denison, Texas 75020
Built in 1911 the Katy depot was originally called the Union Station, and served as the KATY passenger and freight depot. The KATY Depot Denison building is located in Denison's Historic East End District. The officinal Katy Depot was destroyed in a fire soon after it was built. the current Depot was constructed in 1914. The President Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt stopped here in 1936 during his centennial visit. Since its construction, this brick railroad passenger station with red granite and terracotta trim has come to stand as a symbol of Denison. It is now operated as an event center often used for exquisite weddings and receptions, and is home to retailers, office suites, lofts, and
Denison, TX 75020
Completed 1944, the Denison Dam impounds the Red River Basin forming Lake Texoma - the second largest lake in Texas and the eleventh largest reservoir in capacity in the United States. The Denison Dam is located on the Red River between Texas and Oklahoma about 726 miles from the mouth of the Red River, or sometimes known as the Red River of the South and is managed by the US Corps of Engineers. When Lake Texoma began filling up, it changed the landscape considerably, forcing the relocation of railroads, highways, utilities, and cemeteries. The town of Preston, Texas, also known as Preston Bend was completely covered. You can drive across the Denison Dam on Hwy 91 and take in beautiful views of both Lake Texoma and the Red River and surrounding areas.
Denison, Texas 75020
In 1865 the Union Pacific Railway southern branch was incorporated to build a railroad from the St. Louis-Kansas City area to the Gulf of Mexico. Following the route of an old cattle trail, the Katy became the first railroad to cross Indian Territory, now the state of Oklahoma, and enter Texas from the north. On Christmas Day 1872, over 100 passengers rode the first Katy train into Denison, a new townsite named for M-K-T Vice President George Denison. The construction and acquisition of branch lines soon extended the Katy east to Greenville, west to Rotan and Wichita Falls, and south to Galveston and San Antonio. By 1904, the system had over 1,000 miles of track in Texas. The railroad transported cattle, cotton, and other crops to market. It also carried passengers on such trains as the "Texas Special" and the "Katy Flyer" before passenger service ended in 1965.
Denison, TX
Plans began in early 1941 for a U. S. Army Air Corps installation to be located in Grayson County. This 1,160-acre site was acquired in June, and Air Corps personnel began arriving in August. The base was to serve as a basic flight training facility. During its construction, the U. S. was drawn into World War II following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. The first class of flight students, which arrived on December 16, graduated in February 1942 in ceremonies which included the dedication of the base in memory of Lt. Col. Elmer D. Perrin, a Texas test pilot killed in the line of duty in 1941. Perrin Field is now the North Texas Regional Airport.
The Perrin Air Force Base Museum is located at the North Texas Regional Airport - Perrin Field. The Perrin Field Historical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the history of Perrin Army Airfield and Perrin Air Force Base in Grayson County Texas. The base was in operation from 1941 to 1971 and trained tens of thousands of US and Allies pilots and crews. The Museum collects, preserves, and displays key artifacts from historical American military events. The museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm. There is a LOT to see so plan enough time for your visit to take it all in!
Denison, Texas 75020
Come see pioneer heritage that has been carefully preserved for you. The Red River Railroad Museum is located in downtown Denison Texas
Bonham, TX 75418
Offering a more intimate glimpse into the life of Speaker Sam Rayburn is the Sam Rayburn House Museum.
Sherman, Texas 75020
The Sherman Jazz Museum, housed in a 1924 three-story historical landmark building, is ADA exempt and is not wheelchair accessible. The museum’s collection centers around material from the Maynard Ferguson estate, which the Collins family purchased in 2006.
Sherman Museum is devoted to collecting, preserving and interpreting objects of historical significance to Grayson County and the Greater North Texas Region.
Denison, Texas 75020
St. Luke Church is Denison's oldest house of worship and oldest Episcopal sanctuary in Grayson County was built 1875 Recorded Texas Historic Landmark 1969
Denison, Texas 75020
St. Patrick's Church was founded in 1872 by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Galveston, Claude Dubuis. The first church building at this site, designed by noted architect Nicholas J. Clayton, was completed in 1898. Destroyed by fire in 1911, the structure was rebuilt, incorporating much of Clayton's original design into the new façade. Completed in 1914, the Gothic revival building features fine patterned brickwork and lancet arches. The church is open to the public and holds regular services.
Denison, Texas 75020
The Thomas V Munson Home was built by world-famed scientist T.V. Munson. Munson built this Victorian home of brick with wood trim in 1887. An 1888 guest in the house was French Minister of Agriculture, who came here to give Munson (as reward for saving vineyards in France) the Medal of French Legion of Honor. Munson is most famous for saving the wine vineyards in France by helping Europe deal with their vineyard-destroying phylloxera crisis. There is a little bit of Denison in every sip of French wine today. Unfortunately there are rarely tours of the home, but if you are heading to Denison, it is worth a drive-by.
Denison, Texas 75020
TV Munson Vineyard honors the man who is credited with saving the French wine industry, the Enology Center, museum, greenhouse and walkways open weekdays at Grayson College West Extension