Historical Markers in Bonham, Texas

Fannin County · 1936

This area was first settled by Anglo- Americans who traveled up the Red River by steamboat in 1836. Fannin County was created in 1837, organized 1838, and named for James W. Fannin (1805-36), who was massacred with his…

Biard Home · 1964

Built 1857 by hemp factory owner Z. K. Sims. Later owned by Thomas R. Williams, industrialist who brought to Bonham Dr. Charles Carlton, founder of Carlton College; Col. James Q. Chenoweth, first auditor of the U.S.…

Inglish Cemetery · 1964

(1838-1964) County's oldest. Bailey Inglish donated plot near old Fort Inglish (called Bois d'Arc, later Bonham). Pioneers buried here include 1838 Indian massacre victims Andrew Daugherty, Wm. McCarty; 1836 Fannin…

Military Headquarters Northern Sub-District of Texas, C.S.A. · 1964

Established at this site as a key part of Civil War defense of Texas by General Henry E. McCulloch, frontier fighter and Ranger of long experience. With supervision of 7 brigades fighting in Texas, Indian Territory and…

Confederate Commissary · 1965

Army supply headquarters for Northern Sub-district of Texas. Dispensed uniforms, clothing, blankets, harness, bridles, gear, saddles, food rations. Beef, pork and wild game were cooked in an Army mess kitchen furnace on…

First Presbyterian Church · 1965

First Presbyterian Church, U.S. erected 1885. Congregation organized in 1872. Only church in area with spire and belfry. RTHL - 1965

Sam Rayburn House · 1965

In 1916, three years after he began his career in the U.S. Congress, Sam Rayburn built this home for his parents, who had left their farm at Windom. The 2-story house had a front porch on each floor. In 1934 architect…

First National Bank · 1966

Oldest bank in Fannin County. Chartered December 12, 1883. At that time, county had 25,000 people; farming and industry prospered; a new railroad was being built; seven schools and colleges and three newspapers were in…

Old Home of Pioneer Banker A. B. Scarborough · 1966

Built 1897. The massive architecture combines Gothic, Grecian and 17th century features in arches, balconies, cupola, turrets, gables. An example of Victorian Romanesque, bought 1937 and preserved by Joe C. Denton.…

Old W. W. Brownlee Home · 1967

Built 1872 with lumber hauled from Jefferson. Second story was added later. Bought 1946 by Alex Longmire. RTHL - 1968

On Route of Early Texas Streetcars · 1967

In Bonham--as in most Texas towns that became busy trading, ranching, or agricultural centers in the late 1800s--streetcars or trolleys were used in local transit. Bonham's steam-powered streetcar line, built about…

First Baptist Church · 1968

Organized November 1852 under the Rev. J. R. Briscoe with six charter members. The first log church on this site doubled as the school. Cost of this lot-- then outside city limits -- was $50. Indian trail lay northeast.…

Col. James Tarleton · 1970

(August 4, 1789 - April 4, 1861) In the cause of independence, raised company of 36 riflemen in his native Kentucky, starting for Texas November 1835. City of San Antonio was liberated by time they arrived. Although an…

First Christian Church of Bonham · 1971

Congregation organized in 1868 by Charles Carlton (1821-1902). Born in England, he was educated in West Virginia under Alexander Campbell, founder of Disciples of Christ movement. Carlton moved to Bonham in 1867 and…

Bethlehem Baptist Church · 1972

Organized in 1871 under the Revs. Billy Cox and H. E. Cleveland. First church was a log cabin on estate of Mrs. Annie Garrett, between Preston and Lee streets. In 1872 missionary society bought present lot. Building…

Dr. Daniel Rowlett · 1972

(b. Virginia, 1786 - d. Texas, 1848) Came to Texas 1836. Caused Fannin County to be created, 1837. Served as Congressman, Republic of Texas, 1837-38, 1839-40, 1843-44. Helped (1840) organize Constantine Lodge No. 13, A.…

Vicinity of Fort Inglish · 1972

(exact original location unknown) Spot where settlement of town of Bonham began. On 1,250-acre land grant of Texas Republic to Bailey Inglish (1797-1867), former Miller County, Ark., sheriff who led train of settlers…

Fannin County Courthouses · 1974

Commissioners Court first met at Jacob Black's cabin on Feb. 26, 1836, before Fannin County was officially organized. In 1838 Warren (near present Ambrose in Grayson County) was named the county seat. The courthouse…

Congressman Sam Rayburn · 1975

Born in Tennessee on Jan. 6, 1882, Samuel Taliaferro Rayburn came to north Texas with his parents in 1887. His political career began in 1906 with his election to the Texas House of Representatives, where he was Speaker…

Constantine Lodge No. 13, A. F. & A. M. · 1975

Organized at the former county seat of Warren on Nov. 3, 1840, this was one of the earliest Masonic lodges in Texas. Dr. Daniel Rowlett (1786-1848), Fannin County pioneer and Republic of Texas Congressman, was one of…

First United Methodist Church of Bonham · 1975

Founded in 1844 in the Republic of Texas by a circuit rider, the Rev. James H. Graham (1815-1884), this church first met in a log cabin, which it shared with Baptist and Presbyterian congregations. Charter members…

Dr. Tom Douglas Spies · 1977

(Sept. 21, 1902 - Feb. 28, 1960) A native of the Fannin County community of Ravenna, Dr. T. D. Spies was an eminent authority in the study of nutritional diseases. In the 1930s, he led in the discovery of a cure for…

Bonham Daily Favorite · 1978

In 1887 Dr. J. M. Terry, who gave up medicine for journalism, established the "Weekly Fannin Favorite." He expanded in 1892 by starting this newspaper, the oldest daily publication in Fannin County. For 45 years its…

Site of Smith Plantation · 1980

Gideon Smith (b. 1815), a native of Alabama, moved to Fannin County in 1851 and purchased a 3000-acre tract. He deeded half of the property to his brother John C. Smith, who joined him in 1855. Gideon smith served one…

Clark Memorial United Methodist Church · 1982

The organizational meeting for this church was held at the home of Mrs. S. J. Stevenson in 1893. The new congregation met for worship at the Stevenson home until 1901 when they constructed a small building on this site.…

Risser Hospital · 1982

Constructed about 1915 by John Sparger, Jr., this building first served as the residence of D. W. Sweeney, a local merchant and banker. In 1956 it was purchased by Dr. Joe A. Risser and opened as an 18-bed hospital, one…

Site of Steger Opera House · 1983

1890-1920 An opera house was constructed at this site in 1890 by a stock company headed by Benjamin Dabney. Two years later it was purchased by Ed D. Steger. Under his direction, the Steger Opera House became a popular…

Carlton College · 1985

Formally chartered in 1881, Carlton College began under the direction of Charles Carlton (1821-1902) as the Bonham Female Institute. Carlton, a native of England and a Disciples of Christ minister, had come to Bonham in…

Bailey Inglish · 1986

(ca. 1797-1867) In 1837, Bailey Inglish moved his family to this area from western Arkansas, where he had been an influential leader of pioneer settlers. Here he was active in the formation of Fannin County, serving on…

Bonham Cotton Mill · 1986

In 1900, nine Bonham businessmen formed a corporation to construct and operate a cotton mill near this site. The town's presence on the northern edge of the blackland prairie made it an idea location for textile…

Sam Rayburn · 1986

(Jan. 16, 1882 - Nov. 16, 1961) Tennessee native Sam Taliaferro Rayburn moved to Texas with his family in 1887. His long and successful political career began with his election to the Texas Legislature in 1906. It…

Arledge Ridge Cemetery · 1988

Among the early settlers of this area were Joseph and William Arledge, brothers who arrived from Alabama in the 1850s. Both established successful farms in the area, and the growing settlement became known as Arledge…

Texas and Pacific Depot · 1990

The Texas and Pacific Railroad was built eastward to Bonham in 1873. A small wooden depot erected that year was replaced by this larger brick structure in 1900. Damaged by fire in 1918, the depot was rebuilt the…

Charles Henry Christian · 1994

(July 29, 1916 - March 2, 1942) As a child Bonham native Charles (Charlie) Christian was exposed to the guitar artistry and soprano solos of his parents Clarence and Willie Mae Christian. Though taught in the guitar…

Edhube Baptist Church · 1994

Moore's Chapel Cemetery · 1994

Missouri native Alexander Moore married Virginia native Mary Jane Jones in St. Genevieve, Missouri, in 1856. They moved to Texas and purchased land in this area in 1857. The Moore donated two acres here to a rapidly…

Site of Booker T. Washington School · 1994

According to local tradition the Bonham Colored School began in a one-room structure in northwest Bonham in the early 1890s. Enrollment in the 4-teacher school grew from 40 pupils in 1904 to 216 in 1911. By 1920 the…

Trinity Episcopal Church · 1996

Episcopal missionary work began in Fannin and surrounding counties in the mid-1870s, and Trinity Church was organized in Bonham as a mission in 1877. Services were held in the homes of church members, and in the First…

Bonham High School Auditorium and Gymnasium · 2001

Using funds from the Federal Public Works Administration and local tax dollars, this structure was built to provide space for school and community assemblies, performances and athletic events. Architects Voelcker and…

John P. Simpson · 2001

(Oct. 17, 1806 - Jan. 13, 1884) Significant for his contributions to the formative years of Bonham and Fannin County, Tennessee native John P. Simpson arrived in Texas about 1837. In that year he signed the petition to…

Joseph Sowell · 2002

Joseph Sowell In September 1836, Joseph Sowell (1804-1841) came to Texas shortly after the republic was established. Settling on his 1280-acre land grant just south of the Red River, Sowell made his home about 1.5 miles…

Sam Rayburn Library and Museum · 2008

Speaker Sam Rayburn and Dallas architect Roscoe DeWitt designed this facility to house Sam Rayburn's archives, books and artifacts. Rayburn served Fannin and surrounding counties for more than 55 years as state…

McClellan-Cunningham House · 2011

McCLELLAN-CUNNINGHAM HOUSE DISTRICT JUDGE EUGENE DAVID McCLELLAN AND HIS WIFE, CARLTON COLLEGE PIANO TEACHER ALICE (HUNT), BUILT THIS HOME IN 1879. IN 1907, THE McCLELLANS’ DAUGHTER CORNELIA MARRIED ATTORNEY HENRY ALLEN…