Rayburn, Samuel T., House
a.k.a. The Home Place;Sam Rayburn House Museum
1.5 mi. W of Bonham on U.S. 82, Bonham, TXThe Sam Rayburn House, known as the "Home Place," was Rayburn's residence for more than forty-five years and is closely associated with his life as a United States Congressman. Samuel Taliaferro Rayburn was a member of the United States House of Representatives for forty-eight years and was Speaker of the House from 1940 to 1961.
Rayburn was born on January 6, 1882, on a farm near Kingston, Roane County, Tennessee. In 1887, his family moved to Fannin County, Texas, near Windom. One of eleven children, he lived under the somewhat matriarchal influence of his intellectual, politically motivated mother, Martha Waller Rayburn. Sam Rayburn received his elementary education in Burnet and later worked his way through school at Mayo Normal (a school for training elementary teachers) in Commerce, Texas. He taught rural school. for two years before, and three years after getting his B. S. degree. He was elected to the Texas Legislature in 1907 and was a member of the State House of Representatives from 1907 to 1913. He was Speaker of the House in 1912-1913. While serving in the Texas Legislature, he was able to attend the University of Texas and received his law degree in 1908. In 1913, at the age of thirty-one, he became a United States Congressman. He was reelected to that position twenty-five consecutive times by his constituency in the Fourth Congressional District. He was elected as a Democrat to the 63rd Congress of the United States for the term beginning on March 4, 1913, and took the oath of office as a member of the House of Representatives on April 7, 1913, when Congress was called into extraordinary session by the newly elected President Woodrow Wilson. Rayburn served continuously from the 63rd to the 87th Congress.
In the 75th and 76th Congresses (1937-1940) he served as majority leader. On September 16, 1940, he was elected Speaker of the House to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Speaker William B. Bankhead of Alabama. Rayburn was reelected Speaker in the 77th, 78th, and 79th Congresses.
He was Minority Leader in the 80th Congress and the 83rd. The 81st Congress and every Congress up to the 87th (except the 83rd) reelected him to the Speakership.
As a legislator, Rayburn was instrumental in the passage of farm bills, the Rural Electrification Act, the Securities and Exchange Act, the Railroad Holding Company Act, the Utility Holding Company Act, Truth in Securities Act, and the Federal Communications Act.
Rayburn, a politician of national stature, avoided regional- ism and sectionalism in public questions of government. In his maiden Congressional speech in 1913, Sam Rayburn announced his mission in life: "It is now my sole purpose here to help enact such wise and just laws that our common country will by virtue of these laws be a happier and more prosperous country".
Sam Rayburn died November 16, 1961, at the age of seventy-nine, in Bonham, Texas.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965.
Local significance of the building:
Rayburn was born on January 6, 1882, on a farm near Kingston, Roane County, Tennessee. In 1887, his family moved to Fannin County, Texas, near Windom. One of eleven children, he lived under the somewhat matriarchal influence of his intellectual, politically motivated mother, Martha Waller Rayburn. Sam Rayburn received his elementary education in Burnet and later worked his way through school at Mayo Normal (a school for training elementary teachers) in Commerce, Texas. He taught rural school. for two years before, and three years after getting his B. S. degree. He was elected to the Texas Legislature in 1907 and was a member of the State House of Representatives from 1907 to 1913. He was Speaker of the House in 1912-1913. While serving in the Texas Legislature, he was able to attend the University of Texas and received his law degree in 1908. In 1913, at the age of thirty-one, he became a United States Congressman. He was reelected to that position twenty-five consecutive times by his constituency in the Fourth Congressional District. He was elected as a Democrat to the 63rd Congress of the United States for the term beginning on March 4, 1913, and took the oath of office as a member of the House of Representatives on April 7, 1913, when Congress was called into extraordinary session by the newly elected President Woodrow Wilson. Rayburn served continuously from the 63rd to the 87th Congress.
In the 75th and 76th Congresses (1937-1940) he served as majority leader. On September 16, 1940, he was elected Speaker of the House to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Speaker William B. Bankhead of Alabama. Rayburn was reelected Speaker in the 77th, 78th, and 79th Congresses.
He was Minority Leader in the 80th Congress and the 83rd. The 81st Congress and every Congress up to the 87th (except the 83rd) reelected him to the Speakership.
As a legislator, Rayburn was instrumental in the passage of farm bills, the Rural Electrification Act, the Securities and Exchange Act, the Railroad Holding Company Act, the Utility Holding Company Act, Truth in Securities Act, and the Federal Communications Act.
Rayburn, a politician of national stature, avoided regional- ism and sectionalism in public questions of government. In his maiden Congressional speech in 1913, Sam Rayburn announced his mission in life: "It is now my sole purpose here to help enact such wise and just laws that our common country will by virtue of these laws be a happier and more prosperous country".
Sam Rayburn died November 16, 1961, at the age of seventy-nine, in Bonham, Texas.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965.
Politics/government
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, is one of the largest universities in the United States and has produced many notable alumni, including several U.S. presidents.
About Fannin County
Fannin County Timeline
Fannin County, Texas is located in the northeastern part of the state and has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. The county was established in 1837 and was named after James Fannin, a prominent figure in Texas's fight for independence from Mexico. The area was originally home to Native American tribes, including the Caddo and Choctaw, before European settlers began to venture into the region.
During the Texas Revolution in 1836, Fannin County played a significant role in the struggle for independence. The Battle of Village Creek took place in the county, where Texian troops clashed with Mexican forces. Although the Texians won the battle, the conflict ultimately led to the massacre of James Fannin and his men at Goliad. This event became a rallying cry for Texan independence and solidarity.
In the following years, Fannin County experienced rapid growth and development. The arrival of the railroad in the 1870s expanded trade and transportation, leading to increased prosperity. Agriculture became the backbone of the county's economy, with cotton, corn, and cattle production taking center stage. The discovery of oil in the early 20th century further contributed to the region's economic growth.
Throughout its history, Fannin County has faced challenges, including natural disasters such as devastating floods in the late 1800s and early 1900s. However, the resilient community has always managed to recover and rebuild. Today, Fannin County is a thriving area, known for its rich history, charming small towns, and agricultural heritage.
During the Texas Revolution in 1836, Fannin County played a significant role in the struggle for independence. The Battle of Village Creek took place in the county, where Texian troops clashed with Mexican forces. Although the Texians won the battle, the conflict ultimately led to the massacre of James Fannin and his men at Goliad. This event became a rallying cry for Texan independence and solidarity.
In the following years, Fannin County experienced rapid growth and development. The arrival of the railroad in the 1870s expanded trade and transportation, leading to increased prosperity. Agriculture became the backbone of the county's economy, with cotton, corn, and cattle production taking center stage. The discovery of oil in the early 20th century further contributed to the region's economic growth.
Throughout its history, Fannin County has faced challenges, including natural disasters such as devastating floods in the late 1800s and early 1900s. However, the resilient community has always managed to recover and rebuild. Today, Fannin County is a thriving area, known for its rich history, charming small towns, and agricultural heritage.
Fannin County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Fannin County, Texas.
- 1836: Fannin County is established as a county of Texas.
- 1837: The county's first courthouse is constructed in the town of Warren.
- 1839: The county seat is moved to the town of Bois d'Arc.
- 1843: The county seat is relocated again, this time to Bonham.
- 1845: Texas becomes a state, and Fannin County is officially recognized as part of the state.
- 1858: Construction of a new courthouse in Bonham is completed.
- 1861-1865: Fannin County experiences the impact of the American Civil War.
- 1872: The first railroad is completed in the county, boosting economic growth.
- 1886: A devastating fire destroys much of downtown Bonham, resulting in a significant rebuilding effort.
- 1896: The Texas State Normal College is established in Bonham, later renamed Texas A&M University-Commerce.
- 1905: Construction of a new courthouse in Bonham is completed.
- 1930s: Fannin County experiences an economic decline during the Great Depression.
- 1940s-1950s: Fannin County sees growth and development due to World War II and the subsequent post-war economic boom.
- 1994: The county's current courthouse, a historic and architectural landmark, is added to the National Register of Historic Places.