Near Van Alstyne in Grayson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Binion Homestead

Photographed by James Hulse, September 11, 2024

1. Binion Homestead Marker

Inscription. Georgia natives Thomas Noel Binion (1827-1900) and Pauline Walker Binion (1829-1915) migrated to Texas after the Civil War. They moved to the Oxford community in Grayson County where they purchased this 107-acre farm in 1871. Thomas and Pauline reared four children here: Zeph (1856-1928), Homer (1865-1926). Robert E. Lee "Eddie" (1869-1945), and Sarah (1872-1955). After Thomas and Pauline died, they were buried in the family cemetery northwest of their homestead. The farm was inherited by their children.

Eddie Binion became a merchant in nearby Pilot Grove, but moved back to the family homestead with his sister Sarah after the death of his wife. Eddie raised sugar cane and operated a syrup mill here from the turn of the century until the 1940s. The mill first used mules to operate the crusher, and wood fires to cook the molasses. When fuel oil and coal were readily available in the 1920s, a piston engine replaced the mule, and coal replaced the wood fires.

During the depression years, cane continued to arrive but money to purchase coal and fuel oil diminished. The mule was reinstated, but the Binion Syrup Mill foundered in the 1940s. The mill was dismantled and the iron and steel sold for use in World War II.

Erected 1996 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7341.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 33° 25.415′ N, 96° 26.361′ W. Marker is near Van Alstyne, Texas, in Grayson County. It is on Brewer Road west of Binion Road, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located along the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 637 Brewer Rd, Van Alstyne TX 75495, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pilot Grove (approx. 1.3 miles away); Pilot Grove Baptist Church (approx. 1.4 miles away); Old Town of Cannon (approx. 2.8 miles away); Bethel Baptist Church (approx. 3.3 miles away); Cannon Cemetery (approx. 3.8 miles away); Elm Grove Cemetery (approx. 4.3 miles away); First National Bank of Trenton (approx. 5.8 miles away); Indian Creek Baptist Church and Cemetery (approx. 5.8 miles away).

The view of the Binion Homestead and Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 11, 2024

2. The view of the Binion Homestead and Marker from the street

Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 227 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 17, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.