Denison in Grayson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Perrin Air Force Base

Photographed by Morgan Petermann, December 19, 2023

1. Perrin Air Force Base Marker

Inscription. Plans began in early 1941 for a U.S. Army Air Corps installation to be located in Grayson County. This 1,160-acre site was acquired in June, and Air Corps personnel began arriving in August. The base was to serve as a basic flight training facility. During its construction, the U.S. was drawn into World War II following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. The first class of flight students, which arrived on December 16, graduated in February 1942 in ceremonies which included the dedication of the base in memory of Lt. Col. Elmer D. Perrin, a Texas test pilot killed in the line of duty in 1941.

Pilots trained here served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Their airplanes ranged from basic trainers of the 1940s to jets of the 1960s and 1970s.

The presence of the air base became important in the life of Grayson County, creating jobs and boosting the local economy. Following the death in 1961 of Sam Rayburn, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, many dignitaries, including the president and vice president, arrived here and were transported by base personnel to the funeral in nearby Fannin County.

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Partly because of increased air traffic in the area, Perrin Air Force Base was closed in 1971.

Erected 1988 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7416.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Korean • War, Vietnam • War, World II.

Location. 33° 42.561′ N, 96° 39.769′ W. Marker is in Denison, Texas, in Grayson County. It is at the intersection of Grayson Drive and Marrett Ave, on the left when traveling west on Grayson Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 436 McCullum Ave, Denison TX 75020, 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 5 miles of this

Photographed by Morgan Petermann, December 19, 2023

2. Perrin Air Force Base Marker

marker, measured as the crow flies: First Site of City of Sherman (approx. 3 miles away); Preston Road/Shawnee Trail (approx. 3.4 miles away); Pottsboro (approx. 3.4 miles away); Grayson County Poor Farm (approx. 3.4 miles away); Travis Lodge No.117, A.F. & A.M. (approx. 4.1 miles away); Old Bass Home (approx. 4½ miles away); Cold Springs Log Cabin School (approx. 4½ miles away); The Fitzgerald Home (approx. 4.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Denison.

Photographed by Morgan Petermann, December 19, 2023

3. Perrin Air Force Base Marker

Statue of Harold Thomas Hastings, a WWII fighter pilot. The inscription reads "...if I take the wings of morning and rest in the highest places of the sky."

Photographed by Gary Estep, February 12, 2026

4. Perrin Air Force Base Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2023, by Morgan Petermann of Hurst, Texas. This page has been viewed 812 times since then and 146 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 19, 2023, by Morgan Petermann of Hurst, Texas. 4. submitted on February 12, 2026, by Gary Estep of Anna, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.