Historical Markers in
Grayson County, Texas

1931 Free Bridge Controversy Aaron S. Mangum Allison Cemetery Andrew Hanson Andrew L. Randell Antioch Baptist Church Austin College B. H. Zauk Barron Cemetery Barron-Veazey House Bennett-Richardson House Bethel Baptist Church Binion Homestead Birthplace of Dwight D. Eisenhower Boy Scout Troop 1 (Troop 44) Butterfield Overland Mail Route Through Grayson County Cannon Cemetery Capt. John Henry LeTellier Captain N. A. Birge House Carpenters Bluff Bridge Carr-Taliaferro House Central Christian Church City of Sherman City of Tom Bean Coffman Cemetery Colbert's Ferry Cold Springs Log Cabin School Courthouses of Grayson County Dannel Funeral Home Davis-Ansley Log Cabin Home Diamond Horse Ranch Dickson, James Nelson Dorchester School Dugan Family E. M. Kohl Building Eleventh Texas Cavalry Elliott Cemetery Everheart-Canaan Cemetery Federal Building (United States Courthouse) Fink First Baptist Church of Bells First Christian Ch. of Van Alstyne First Christian Church First Christian Church of Howe First Methodist Church of Whitewright First Presbyterian Church First Presbyterian Church First Presbyterian Church and Manse First Site of City of Sherman First Texas Interurban First United Methodist Church First United Methodist Church of Sherman First United Methodist Church of Van Alstyne Forest Park Fred Douglass School Friendship Cemetery Friendship Methodist Church George R. Reeves Grave of Collin McKinney Grayson Bible Baptist Church Grayson College Grayson County Grayson County, C. S. A. Greenwood Cemetery Hagerman Hall Cemetery Hall Furniture Building Hendrix Cemetery Hiram Lodge No. 433, A. F. & A. M. Home County of Allison Mayfield, Conservationist Hopewell Baptist Church Howe Lodge No. 430, A. F. & A.M. J. K. Miller House Jabez and Harriet Haning James P. Dumas Jesse Elvis Hendricks Log Cabin Jesse P. Loving Joseph G. McCoy, Promoter of Chisholm Trail Judge C. C. Binkley Kentucky Town Kentuckytown Baptist Church Kidd-Key College and Music Conservatory L. A. Washington, Jr. and wife Martha A. Lake Texoma Lee Simmons Lone Star Masonic Lodge No. 403, A. F. & A. M. Louis Wilmouth Lyon House Mame Roberts (Aug. 19, 1883-Dec. 24, 1976) Mantua Masonic Lodge No. 209, A. F. & A. M. Martindale-Lackey-Hudgins House Mary Florence Cowell Masonic Temple 1924 Mattie Davis Lucas Mayes House Merchants and Planters National Bank Metz House Milam, Eliza McKinney, Homestead Miller's Spring Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad Mita Holsapple Hall (1885-1965) Ninth Texas Cavalry North-South Railway Connection Oak Ridge Cemetery Odd Fellows Hall Old Bass Home Old Cedar Community Old Sherman Public Library Old Thompson Home Old Town of Cannon Oliveann Oatman Fairchild Park of Old Settlers Association of Grayson County Perrin Air Force Base Peter W. Grayson Pilot Grove Pilot Grove Baptist Church Pioneer Cotton Seed Oil Mill Pool Manufacturing Company Pottsboro Present Home of XXI Club President T. Roosevelt's Visit to Grayson County Preston Road/Shawnee Trail Primitive Baptist Church of Tioga R. N. Younger Home Roberts House Sadler Cemetery Sadler United Methodist Church Saint John Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Samuel E. and Mary C. Marshall House Sanborn Ranch Sand Springs Sanford Homeplace Sherman Little Theater (The Sherman Community Players) Sherman Manufacturing Company Site of Binkley Hotel Site of Campus of Old Columbia College Site of Captain LeTellier's School Site of Early Grayson County Settlement - Whitemound Site of Fort Johnson Site of Old Sherman Opera House Site of Saint Francis Xavier Academy Site of the Trading Post of Holland Coffee Sophia Porter St. Luke's Church St. Mary's Catholic Church St. Patrick's Catholic Church St. Patrick's Catholic Church Terrell High School, Site of The Civilian Conservation Corps at Loy Park The Fitzgerald Home The Great Sherman Storm of 1896 The Rev. J.M. Binkley The Rev. John Silliman Moore The Reverend J.H. Reynolds Thomas Jefferson Shannon Thomas V. Munson Home Tioga Cemetery Tioga Cemetery Tioga United Methodist Church Tom Bean Tom Randolph (Nov. 13, 1854 - Jan. 8, 1918) Town of Gunter, on Old Gunter Ranch Travis Lodge No. 117, A. F. & A. M. Trinity United Presbyterian Church Trinity United Presbyterian Church Umphress-Taylor Home Van Alstyne Van Alstyne Cemetery Vittitoe Cemetery W. B. and Ella Munson Home Walnut Street Church of Christ Waples Memorial United Methodist Church Waples-Platter Grocery Company Washburn Cemetery Washington Iron Works Inc. Whitaker Cemetery Whitesboro Whitewright Whitewright Masonic Lodge No. 167 William Whitley Wheat Wilson N. Jones (c. 1827-1901) Younger Scott McKinney Home
Texas was once a part of Mexico but gained independence in 1836 after a famous battle at the Alamo.
Grayson County, Texas has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. The area that is now Grayson County was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Caddo, Tonkawa, and Shawnee. However, European settlers began arriving in the area in the early 1800s, leading to conflicts and the eventual displacement of the Native American populations.

The county itself was established in 1846 and named after Peter Wagener Grayson, a lawyer who served in the Texas legislature. Grayson County quickly grew as settlers moved into the region, attracted by the fertile land and opportunities for farming and ranching. The county's economy flourished with the arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s, which facilitated transportation of goods and boosted trade in the area.

During the Civil War, Grayson County largely supported the Confederacy, and many residents volunteered to serve in the Southern army. After the war, the county faced challenges as it struggled to rebuild and recover from the economic and social impacts of the conflict. However, the discovery of oil in the early 20th century brought a new wave of prosperity to Grayson County. Oil fields were developed, attracting workers and boosting the local economy.

Today, Grayson County continues to thrive as a vibrant and growing community. It is home to several cities, including Sherman, the county seat, and Denison. The county is known for its natural beauty, including Lake Texoma, which is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and camping. Grayson County also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with numerous historical sites, museums, and festivals that celebrate its unique history and traditions.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Grayson County, Texas.

  • 1836 - The Republic of Texas is established, including the area now known as Grayson County.
  • 1846 - Grayson County is officially organized and named after Peter W. Grayson, a hero of the Texas Revolution.
  • 1850 - The first courthouse is built in Sherman, becoming the county seat.
  • 1871 - The arrival of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad sparks growth in the county.
  • 1872 - Sherman is incorporated as a city.
  • 1896 - The Red River Bridge, connecting Grayson County to the Oklahoma Territory, is completed.
  • 1900 - The population of Grayson County reaches over 40,000 residents.
  • 1930s - Grayson County is affected by the Great Depression, but starts recovering through federal programs.
  • 1960s - Lake Texoma is created by the Army Corps of Engineers, providing recreational opportunities.
  • 1990s - Grayson County experiences rapid growth due to its proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
  • 2006 - The Grayson County Courthouse, built in 1910, undergoes major renovations.