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

Charles Henry Christian

July 29, 1916 – March 2, 1962

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 2, 2026

1. Charles Henry Christian Marker

Inscription. As a child Bonham native Charles (Charlie) Christian was exposed to the guitar artistry and soprano solos of his parents Clarence and Willie Mae Christian. Though taught in the guitar chord technique, he developed a unique single-string style that made his reputation and earned him a place in music great Benny Goodman's band in 1939. A jazz guitar prodigy, he played with Goodman, Count Basie, and at Carnegie Hall before dying of tuberculosis at the age of 25.

Erected 1994 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 8856.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.

Location. 33° 34.014′ N, 96° 10.815′ W. Marker is in Bonham, Texas, in Fannin County. It is at the intersection of South 1st Street and Reich Street, on the right when traveling east on South 1st Street. Marker is in Gates Hill Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Reich St, Bonham TX 75418, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

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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: Clark Memorial United Methodist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Powder Creek Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away); Texas and Pacific Depot (approx. half a mile away); Bonham Cotton Mill (approx. half a mile away); Bonham Daily Favorite (approx. 0.7 miles away); Old Home of Pioneer Banker A.B. Scarborough (approx. 0.7 miles away); Dr. Penwell's Ordeal (approx. 0.7 miles away); Hotel Alexander (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bonham.

Also see . . . Charlie Christian: The Pioneer of Jazz Guitar. Charlie Christian, born in Bonham, is recognized for his creative contributions to modern jazz as an early pioneer of electric guitar recordings. (Laurie E. Jasinski, in Handbook of Texas, Texas State Historical Association, 1976)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 2, 2026

2. Charles Henry Christian Marker

(Submitted on July 25, 2026, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 2, 2026

3. Charles Henry Christian Marker

Charlie Christian performing at the Waldorf Astoria, New York image. Click for full size.

Charles B. Nadell, DownBeat magazine; via Wikipedia (Public Domain), October 1939

4. Charlie Christian performing at the Waldorf Astoria, New York

He was among the first electric guitarists, as well as a key figure in the development of bebop and cool jazz.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2026, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 24, 2026, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 4. submitted on July 25, 2026, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.