Photograph of the Texas Historical Commission marker for 1931 Free Bridge Controversy in Grayson County, Texas. Text: As a result of late 1920s legislation in Texas and Oklahoma, the two states cooperated on a project to build free highway bridges spanning the Red River to accommodate rapidly increasing highway traffic. One of these bridges was near Colbert Bridge, a toll bridge descended from the mid-19th century Colbert's Ferry. When the free bridge was ready to open in early July 1931, the Red River Bridge Company, operators of Colbert Bridge, obtained a federal restraining order against the opening of the free bridge until contractual payments had been made to compensate the company for their anticipated loss. Texas governor Ross Sterling complied, but Oklahoma governor William Murray, who was not a party to the contract between the Texas Highway Commission and the Red River Bridge Company, asked Governor Sterling to join him in protesting the injunction. Sterling refused. Murray ordered the removal of barricades erected by the Texas Highway Commission. For twelve hours, traffic flowed freely across the bridge. By July 17, Texas Rangers guarded the southern side. Oklahoma highway crews rerouted traffic from Colbert Bridge to Preston Bridge several miles away …

Photograph of the State Historical Survey Committee marker for Friendship Cemetery in Sherman, Texas. Text: Opened in 1830's with burials of local "Yankee Town" settlers. Closed 1859 by a private owner. Reopened by Madison Walsh and Nolan Stewart, 1861. Enlarged and improved 1892, when adjacent Methodist Church was built. The cemetery has been used in three eras: Republic of Texas, the Confederacy, and the Union. (1967)

Photograph of the State Historical Survey Committee marker for Friendship Methodist Church in Sherman, Texas. Text: Organized 1867 in log schoolhouse, in 1892 built first sanctuary; second, 1914; added Graves Recreation Hall 1958. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967.

Photograph of the marker for Fort Johnson in Pottsboro, Texas. Text: Established by William G. Cooke in 1840 as a part of the defense of the military road from Red River to Austin, named in honor of Colonel Francis W. Johnson (1799-1888), commander of the Texas army at the capture of San Antonio, December 10, 1835. Place of rendezvous for the Snivley Expedition which set out April 25, 1843. The settlement in the vicinity was known as Georgetown.

Photograph of the Texas Historical Commission marker for First United Methodist Church in Sherman, Texas. Text: First congregation of the Methodist Episcopal Church South in Sherman. Established in 1859 with the Reverend J.M. Binkley, pastor, the church was born of labors of circuit riders who braved this frontier area even before the county was organized. The first members worshipped under a brush arbor located on what is now the Sherman Public Square. The first permanent building, a frame structure, was erected in 1860. Located in the 300 block of South Travis Street, this building burned in 1885. For four years the congregation worshipped in the city opera house while a brick sanctuary was being erected on the original site. This structure was occupied in 1889 and used until 1910, when a new and larger domed edifice, located at North Travis and Mulberry Streets, was occupied. For 44 years "Travis Street Methodist Church" served as a focal point of Methodist activity in Sherman and North Texas. To meet the needs of a growing congregation, the present structure was erected in 1955 (Mulberry and Elm Streets) on property once belonging to Kidd-Key College, a Methodist school. The church was named "First Methodist …

Photograph of the Texas Historical Commission marker for George R. Reeves (January 3, 1826 - September 5, 1882) in Pottsboro, Texas. Text: Man for whom 2600-Sq. Mi. West Texas County was named. Born in Tennessee, married Jane Moore in 1844 in Arkansas, came to Texas about 1845, was Grayson County tax collector, 1848-1850; Sheriff, 1850-1854. Served as state representative, 1855-1861, commissioned Confederate Army officer, 1863, participant in Battle of Chickamauga and Hundred Days Atlanta Campaign. Returned to legislature, 1873, Speaker of the House, 1881-1882. Recorded - 1967.

Photograph of the Texas Historical Commission marker for Grayson Bible Baptist Church in Sherman, Texas. Text: On the evening of Monday, June 22, 1931, John R. Rice began a revival service on the Grayson County Courthouse Square. The revival took place where the 1870s courthouse had stood. That building was burned to the ground in May 1930 during mob violence that caused the death of an African American man who had been accused of a crime. Businesses and homes of African American residents were also destroyed. The revival's location - in the center of Sherman - was a perfect one. Large crowds of people attended, and the revival lasted for over a month. When rice asked attendees to present themselves to organize a new church, forty people answered the call, and on July 16, 1931, the fundamentalist Baptist Church was organized. On the evening of July 28, a tank was constructed on the courthouse lawn and a baptismal service was conducted. The congregation soon built a tabernacle at the corner of south Montgomery and East Cherry, and the first service in the building was held on Sunday, September 12, 1931. The church has changed locations several times through the years, …

Photograph of the Texas Historical Commission marker for Grayson College in Whitewright, Texas. Text: Original Campus Site. Founders: H.L. Piner - F.E. Butler, J.F. Anderson - J.L. Truett. Erected by Ex-students' association.

Photograph of the State Historical Survey Committee marker for Grayson County in Sherman, Texas. Text: In the mainstream of the Texas history for more than a century, this area was, in 1837, the site of Colonel Holland Coffee's Trading Post, a landmark structure at the Preston Bend Crossing of the Red River. It was a focal point beginning in 1842 for settlers of the important Peters Colony. In 1846 the county was created from part of Fannin County by the 1st State Legislature. It was named for Peter W. Grayson, who immigrated to Texas in 1830, served in the Texas Revolution, and was attorney general in the Republic. Also in 1848 the county was organized and Sherman was made county seat. The original town site was 5 1/4 mi. W. of here. It was moved to its present location, 1848. Honoree of the town name was Colonel Sidney Sherman, a hero of the Battle of San Jacinto. The place is distinguished for having had at least five courthouses and for its superior schools of the 19th century. It was once known as the "Athens of Texas". In 1858 the famous Butterfield Trail crossed the county and in the same period …

Photograph of the Texas Historical Commission marker for the Great Sherman Storm of 1896 in Sherman, Texas. Text: In the late afternoon of Friday, May 15, 1896, a disastrous tornado swept Sherman, killing about 66 persons, injuring many others, and causing severe property damage. The twister touched down near here, then cut a 2-mile-long path through the city. The same funnel and several smaller ones struck at other locations in the area. Most of the storm's victims were buried in this cemetery. After the tragedy, citizens of the Sherman and neighboring towns helped with rebuilding and relief contributions were sent from many distant places. (1975)

Photograph of the Texas Historical Commission marker for Greenwood Cemetery in Bells, Texas. Text: Burial site for early settlers of Fannin and Grayson counties. Commonly called "Jenkins Cemetery" - as access was through John J. Jenkins' farm. First usage date is unknown; oldest stones have had lettering erased by weather. Earliest dated stone is for Jas. P. Montgomery, who died in 1869. On March 31, 1882, W. S. Roddy formally deeded the cemetery site in trust for local citizens. Wooden markers at many graves were destroyed by grass fire in 1935. The neglected cemetery was restored in 1972 through efforts of Lt. Col. and Mrs. Wm. K. Langner, descendants of John J. Jenkins.

Photograph of the State Historical Survey Committee marker for Gunter Ranch in Gunter, Texas. Text: Established 1880's by Jot Gunter, developer of Texas real estate, prominent Grayson County businessman. In mid-1890's his ranch exceeded 20,000 acres. Gunter, born in North Carolina in 1845, came to Texas to practice law after he served in Confederate Army. The town of Gunter, incorporated in 1914, was named for him. (1968).

Photograph of the Texas Historical Commission marker for Hagerman in Pottsboro, Texas. Text: In 1904, James Patillo (J.P.) Smith platted streets here in a 10-acre wheat field and established the town of Hagerman, named for railroad attorney James P. Hagerman. The town consisted of 250 residents, a cotton gin, school, church, post office, railroad depot, and several businesses by 1910. The town prospered and grew to contain three churches and a three-teacher school. However, in the 1920s residents and businesses began to abandon the area when it became known that the creation of Lake Texoma would completely inundate the town. Lake Texoma was created in 1943. Sesquicentennial of Texas statehood 1845-1995.

Photograph of the State Historical Survey Committee marker for Hall Cemetery in Howe, Texas. Text: Located on land patented by Anderson White (1801-85), on certificate issued April 23, 1850, by Peters Colony, an immigration project which had received a large land grant in this region from the Republic of Texas. Burial plot was begun Jan. 6, 1857, upon the death of White's daughter, Sarah White Haning, wife of Aaron Haning. One week later, on Jan. 13, a second grave was added, that of Haning's mother, Rachel Pierce Haning. In June 1857, White sold his land in the area, but reserved 2 acres surrounding the burial site, deeded April 1859 to trustees for a public cemetery. Named for Benjamin F. Hall (1803-73), pioneer minister of the Disciples of Christ, doctor, dentist, and lawyer, who owned the white property from 1857 to 1872, and founded several churches in the region. Among those buried here are the first settlers of this part of Grayson County, who migrated to Texas from the Eastern United States, a number of veterans of the army of the Confederate States of America: and several rural victims of the Great Sherman Tornado of May 15, 1896. Subsequent donations of …

Photograph of the Texas Historical Commission marker for Hall Furniture Building in Sherman, Texas. Text: Former Missourian and Civil War veteran Rufus Gaines Hall established a Sherman Dry Goods Store in 1868. The company prospered, in part because it sent 30 notion wagons to sell supplies to settlers on rural farms across 13 counties in North Texas. Hall's son, Dr. Hugh Logan Hall, joined the firm in 1872. In 1892, Dr. Hall and his father bought this property. Five generations of Halls maintained the growing business in this location for a century. Originally two buildings, the west side of the business was built in 1876 and the other in 1885; the buildings were united in 1936. A noteworthy example of an art deco commercial building, its asymmetrical facade features the bold use of bands of structural glass with black and ivory chevron stripes. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2002.

Photograph of the State Historical Survey Committee marker for Andrew Hanson in Sherman, Texas. Text: Owned Sherman's first bakery for 35 years. Born in Schleswigholstein, Denmark. Came to United States, 1872, and to Texas, 1878. With F.W. Boedeker (whose interest he soon bought) started the Star Bakery, 1879. Had first delivery service, first commercially made ice cream in town. Built family residence at two midtown sites. Married (1880) Anna Lundorf; had 4 children. His father, mother, and brothers came from Denmark to join him. All are buried here. Recorded - 1972.

Photograph of the Texas Historical Commission marker for Hendrix Cemetery in Sherman, Texas. Text: A native of North Carolina, John Hendrix (1798-1893) came to Texas in 1846 with his wife, Ruth (Stradef) (1804-1882), their children, and seven other families. Their first camp in the area is marked by a large boulder in this cemetery. Hendrix ran successful farming and nursery operations and became a prominent and influential citizen of Grayson County. Shortly after his arrival, Hendrix established this cemetery, located on land he acquired after his settlement here. The one-acre burial ground eventually was deeded to Grayson County. The first known burial, that of the infant son of M. and D. Perdue, took place in 1848. John and Ruth Hendrix are buried here as is their son Josiah Tompkins and daughter Nancy Hendricks Jennings. There are approximately forty-five marked graves in the Hendrix Cemetery, many date from the last half of the nineteenth century and some display illegible inscriptions. An unmarked section in the Northwest corner of the graveyard was reserved for slave burials. Used for more than one hundred years by Hendrix family relatives and descendants. Close friends and associates, the cemetery is a significant reminder of early Grayson …

Photograph of the Texas Historical Commission marker for Hiram Lodge No. 433, A.F. & A.M. in Collinsville, Texas. Text: Chartered on June 7, 1875, Hiram Lodge first met in a building on the original Collinsville town square. Since 1881, when that building burned, the organization has met in six locations and shared facilities with local businesses and a school. In 1881, when the Texas & Pacific Railroad came through the area, Hiram Lodge, along with most of the town, relocated to be near the railroad tracks. Civic activities have included aid to Masonic widows and orphans, support of war bonds, and assistance to schools and the Scottish Rite Hospital for crippled children.

Photograph of the Texas Historical Commission marker for Hopewell Baptist Church in Denison, Texas. Text: In 1874 this church was founded to serve the black community of this growing railroad town. Ministers from several Baptist churches in the county helped organize the new fellowship some of the charter members transferred from St. John Baptist church in Preston Bend. In 1877 fire destroyed the congregation's first meeting place. A frame building erected at this site was replaced in 1891 by a brick edifice. The present church was begun in 1915. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall spoke here in 1950. When Hopewell was host to the NAACP Regional Convention.

Photograph of the Texas Historical Commission marker for Howe Lodge No. 430 A.F. & A.M. in Howe, Texas. Text: Constituted on June 5, 1875, this lodge was organized in the early Grayson County community of Farmington (5 Mi. SW). Members voted to move the lodge to Howe in 1887, after the earlier settlement was bypassed by the railroad. In Howe, the first lodge hall was constructed above the early Methodist church chapel. Later facilities were built as the lodge grew. Part of its growth came as a result of a merger with the Dorchester Lodge in 1966. Numerous war veterans and civic leaders have been members here. Texas sesquicentennial 1836-1986.

Photograph of the Texas Historical Commission marker for First Texas Interurban in Grayson County, Texas. Text: Electric railways (trolleys) provided convenient travel between many Texas cities for more than forty years. The first interurban line was established in Grayson County, connecting the cities of Sherman and Denison. Founded in 1900 by Fred Fitch and John P. Crerar, the Denison and Sherman Railway began operations on May 1, 1901, with a single 10.5-mile track. The company built a power plant, offices, and a car barn near this site halfway between its passenger stations in the two cities. In order to provide water for the power plant, they built a dam below Tanyard Springs, creating a small lake, named Wood Lake. It provided recreation facilities for passengers on the line's excursion trains. The Texas Traction Company, founded in 1906, began construction of a second interurban line from Dallas to McKinney in 1906. Merged with the Denison and Sherman Railway in 1908. The company expanded its operations, eventually connecting a number of North Texas cities and changing its name to the Texas Electric Railway in 1917. The advent of automobile travel signaled the decline of the Texas interurbans by the 1930s. The last …

Photograph of the Texas Historical Commission marker for Jabez and Harriet Haning in Howe, Texas. Text: Jabez Haning (1827-1883) came to Grayson County with his family in 1846. In the 1850s Jabez Haning obtained a grant of 320 acres of land from the Peters Colony. His land was located about nine miles south of the town of Sherman. Harriet Campbell (1834-1880) and Jabez Haning were married in 1854 and established a farm. In 1873 the Houston & Texas Central Railway established a line south of Sherman. The route went through the Haning property, and they donated land for a town site in 1876. The town was named Howe, probably in honor of a railroad official. (1997)

Photograph of the Texas Historical Commission marker for James Nelson Dickson in Sherman, Texas. Text: Born and educated in Grayson County, James Nelson Dickson began his long association with county government in 1914 as deputy tax assessor. Following a 1930 courthouse fire, he worked to replace destroyed records, including important school bond papers. In 1945, the commissioners court named him to fill an unexpired term as county judge, a position he held through subsequent elections until 1962. Upon retirement, he devoted his efforts to the promotion of local heritage through museums, events, and organizations, and compiled a history of Grayson County schools. Recorded - 2005.

Photograph of the Texas Historical Commission marker for Jesse Elvis Hendricks log cabin in Denison, Texas. Text: A native of Missouri, Jesse Elvis Hendricks (1837-1920) came to Grayson County in 1846. In 1863-64, he built this log home five miles southeast of this site. It was originally a one-room cabin with a loft, but Hendricks and his wife, Susan Matilda (Dumas), added more rooms about 1870 after the birth of their fourth child. The Hendricks' log cabin was moved to this site and restored in 1978. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1983.