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

John P. Simpson

(Oct. 17, 1806 - Jan. 13, 1884)

Photographed by QuesterMark, July 4, 2026

1. John P. Simpson Texas Historical Marker

This marker was repaired and refurbished between September 27, 2023 and July 4, 2026.

Inscription. Significant for his contributions to the formative years of Bonham and Fannin County, Tennessee native John P. Simpson arrived in Texas about 1837. In that year he signed the petition to create Fannin County and began to farm his land in this area. An early elected official, Simpson served as county sheriff and as county judge (then called the chief justice) in the 1840s and 1850s. He donated land that became Bonham's downtown commercial district and the courthouse square. Simpson also served a time as head of the Fannin Guards which provided frontier defense for this region. Recorded 2001

Erected 2001 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12438.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.

Location. 33° 34.813′ N, 96° 11.696′ 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 at the front eastern section to the Willow Wild Cemetery. Touch for map.

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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: Veterans of Foreign Wars (within shouting distance of this marker); Military Headquarters Northern Sub-District of Texas, C.S.A. (within shouting distance of this marker); Sam Rayburn (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dr. Tom Douglas Spies (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bailey Inglish (approx. 0.4 miles away); Trinity Episcopal Church (approx. ¾ mile away); First United Methodist Church of Bonham (approx. 0.8 miles away); Old Home of Pioneer Banker A.B. Scarborough (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bonham.

Also see . . . Simpson, John P. (1806–1884).

John P. Simpson Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 27, 2023

2. John P. Simpson Marker

Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on October 3, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

John P. Simpson Gravestone and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 27, 2023

3. John P. Simpson Gravestone and Marker

The plaque has broken off the stand and now is sitting along the gravestone.

The view of the John P. Simpson Marker and cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 27, 2023

4. The view of the John P. Simpson Marker and cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 191 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 15, 2026, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 3, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.