"Keeweechic's Bonham" Bonham by keeweechic

Bonham Travel Guide: 52 reviews and 61 photos

Bonham is one of the oldest towns in Texas, some will tell you it is THE oldest. It is certainly the oldest in the Red River Valley region. The first settlers arrived in 1837 and a settlement was established when Bailey Inglish built a two story log fort and named it Fort Inglish. When other settlers arrived that summer, the community was called Bois D'Arc but in 1843 after the name Bloomington was rejected in the Texas Congress, the name Bonham was chosen in honour of James Butler Bonham - a hero of the Alamo. Sometime between 1843 and 1845 the county records from Fort Inglish and Fort Warren were moved to Bonham and the town was incorporated on February 2, 1848. The county is named after James Fannin who was massacred along with his men at Goliad.

The community remained small until the Texas and Pacific Railroad arrived in 1873 when it then began to grow. By 1885 Bonham had three colleges, eight churches, three weekly newspapers, a saw mill, two grist mills, a furniture factory and gins. By 1890 an oil mill, street car line and ice plant were in operation and the community had grown to 3361. Bonham was one of the first cities in Texas to have an electric light service when the first electric light plant came to Bonham in 1885.

Bonham became famous for many things over the years. Newspapers all over the United States comments on Bonham's cotton-tail rabbit market. The rabbits were shipped to New Orleans by the thousands and sold for 5c. The town was also known as a horse market and during the Boer War in South Africa. A feeding station was set up and thousands of horses were brought to Bonham from New Orleans on their way to South Africa. This market attracted more visitors than any other living thing in Bonham's early history.

During World War II an air force training school was located at Bonham which helped increase the population to 7043 and was also the site of a POW camp for mostly German soldiers. Because of the increase in population the town ended up with some 20 manufacturing plants to make it an industrial area in the county.

Bonham is also famous for Sam Rayburn, the town's most illustrious son. A statesman, congressman and a major influence of the 20th century.

There is more to Bonham than I could cover on my short visit. The area has 5 lakes and parks, including Bonham State Park, and you can take the Texas Lakes Trail to drive between them all, along with Caddo National Grasslands. There are wineries and vineyards in the area as well.

Photos which are taken by myself and all headings are copyright and digitally marked. Please do not use them without permission. Thanks.(c) keeweechic 2001-2006 (copyright)

Last visit to Bonham: Jan 2003
Intro Updated Aug 2, 2006
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Reviews (52)

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Getting There By Car Transportation (1)

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Written Feb 9, 2004

8 photos

Fannin County Museum of History

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Comments (11)

LagosDeMoreno Mar 9, 2007 at 11:14 AM Report Abuse

Interesting. I love archaeology. See a couple of my websites> http://mexicanarchaeology.tripod.com; http://The World that Was.tripod.com; http://MayanArchaeology.tripod.com.
pepples46 Jan 5, 2004 at 9:27 PM Report Abuse

excellent, got to hand it to Texas, interesting places here very well restored, loveling cared for. great presentation KW, thanx for sharing
dr.firas Dec 18, 2003 at 5:23 AM Report Abuse

First time again I hear about another special place, how many other places i will learn from your pages :-))) great work as always Keewee dear!
Sweetberry1 Dec 17, 2003 at 5:20 PM Report Abuse

Awesome page and great updates.. C'B I love the Presbyterian Church, and the Scarborough house.. Mr Sam must have been a hell of a good guy. Woww.. another dry place? ;-/ FANTASTIC photos Girl.. ;-)
bugalugs Sep 28, 2003 at 10:14 AM Report Abuse

You have certainly captured the history of this town, as for the telephones in the photo, do you mean you dont have them like that anymore!!!! Sorry, just me being a Luddite :-) - sounded a great place to visit until I read 'No Liquor'!!!!!!!!!! - lol
gkitzmil May 7, 2003 at 8:01 AM Report Abuse

ANYONE GOING TO TEXAS (or nearly anywhere else) MUST CHECK YOUR PAGES -- GREAT JOB AS ALWAYS!! -- Greg
miner May 6, 2003 at 4:58 PM Report Abuse

Awesome history page. This looks like a place I would really enjoy. Excellent job!!
yooperprof May 6, 2003 at 4:21 PM Report Abuse

They sure do like their history in Texas! And you do too - thanks!
annk Mar 22, 2003 at 8:27 PM Report Abuse

A great page on a bit of Americana. Excellent historical information!
Hosell Feb 20, 2003 at 3:26 PM Report Abuse

Wonderful page Keewe, I'll be there in Texas soon! :)