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

Fannin County

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 21, 2016

1. Fannin County Marker

Inscription. This area was first settled by Anglo - Americans who traveled up the Red River by steamboat in 1836. Fannin County was created in 1837, organized 1838, and named for James W. Fannin (1805-36), who was massacred with his soldiers at Goliad (March 27, 1836) after surrendering to the Mexican Army.

County officials first met at Jacob Black's cabin on the Red River. The county seat was moved in 1840 to Warren and in 1843 to Bois d' Arc, which was renamed in 1844 in honor of James Butler Bonham (1807-36), a hero of the siege of the Alamo.

Erected 1936 by the State of Texas. (Marker Number 8872.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Political Subdivisions • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Texas 1936 Centennial Markers and Monuments series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 33° 34.669′ N, 96° 10.7′ W. Marker is in Bonham, Texas, in Fannin County. Marker is at the intersection of North Main Street and West 5th Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 East Sam Rayburn Drive, Bonham TX 75418, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fall of a Renegade (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Russell's Opera House (within shouting distance of this marker); Fannin County Confederate Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Spanish-American War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); "The American Soldier" (within shouting distance of this marker); Murder of Sheriff Ragsdale (within shouting distance of this marker); James Butler Bonham (within shouting distance of this marker); Showdown (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bonham.

More about this marker. The plaque on the pink granite was replaced in 1975.

The marker was originally located in 1936 at a roadside park on State Highway 56 near County Road 3011, two miles miles east of downtown Bonham. The Texas Department of Transportation removed the roadside park (now used as a utility lot), and the marker was relocated to the courthouse grounds as part of the 2015 restoration project.

Also see . . . Texas State Historical Association article on Fannin County.

Marker in front of Fannin County Courthouse (left of photo). Old location image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 21, 2016

2. Marker in front of Fannin County Courthouse (left of photo). Old location

The marker has been relocated to the northeast corner of the grounds due to major courthouse restoration project.

(Submitted on August 10, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Photographed By James Hulse, September 27, 2023

3. Fannin County Marker

The new location of the marker is at the northeast corner of the courthouse grounds instead of the northwest corner.

Fannin County 1936 Pink Granite Centennial Marker. Old location. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 21, 2016

4. Fannin County 1936 Pink Granite Centennial Marker. Old location.

The marker has been relocated to the northeast corner of the grounds due to major courthouse restoration project.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 666 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3. submitted on November 11, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 4. submitted on August 10, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.