Bonham in Fannin County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Sam Rayburn

(Jan. 6, 1882 - Nov. 16, 1961)

Photographed by Gary Estep

1. Sam Rayburn Marker

Inscription. 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 continued through 25 consecutive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, where Rayburn served with 8 presidents and held the speakership for 17 years. His funeral at the First Baptist Church in Bonham was attended by 30,000 people, including 4 presidents and 105 congressmen. Recorded 1986

Erected 1986 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 8920.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 33° 34.812′ N, 96° 11.635′ W. Marker is in Bonham, Texas, in Fannin County. It is on West 7th Street 0.2 miles west of State Highway 121, on the left when traveling west. The marker is located just east of the front entrance to the Willow Wild Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1220 W 7th Street, Bonham TX 75418, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Military Headquarters Northern Sub-District of Texas, C.S.A. (a few steps from this marker); Veterans of Foreign Wars (within shouting distance of this marker);

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John P. Simpson (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dr. Tom Douglas Spies (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bailey Inglish (approx. 0.3 miles away); Trinity Episcopal Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Bonham (approx. 0.7 miles away); Old Home of Pioneer Banker A.B. Scarborough (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bonham.

Also see . . . Rayburn, Samuel Taliaferro (1882–1961). Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

His oath of office on April 7, 1913, as a member of the House of Representatives marked the beginning of more than forty-eight years of continuous service, the longest record of service in the House ever established (at the time of his death in 1961). He became majority leader in the Seventy-fifth and Seventy-sixth congresses (1937–40) and in 1940 was elected speaker of the House to fill the unexpired term of Speaker William B. Bankhead. Rayburn continued as speaker of the United States House of Representatives in every Democratic-controlled Congress from the Seventy-sixth through the Eighty-seventh (1940–61).

Sam Rayburn Gravestone and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 27, 2023

2. Sam Rayburn Gravestone and Marker

(Submitted on October 3, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of Sam Rayburn Gravestone and Marker from the cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 27, 2023

3. The view of Sam Rayburn Gravestone and Marker from the cemetery

House Majority Leader Sam Rayburn image. Click for full size.

Public Domain - Library of Congress, Harris & Ewing Collection

4. House Majority Leader Sam Rayburn

Photographed by James Hulse, September 27, 2023

5. Sam Rayburn Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 384 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 22, 2025, by Gary Estep of Anna, Texas. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 3, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.