General -
Seat of Fannin County in an area of Blackland Prairie
south of the Red River that marks boundary between Texas
and Oklahoma. The name and statue on courthouse square
honor James Butler Bonham who died at the Alamo. Three
small lakes at Caddo National Greenlands are open for
visitors year round. Lake Davy Crockett and Coffee Mill
Lake offer camoing, boating, and fishing. Lake Fannin
offers boating and fishing.
Bonham State Park-
300 acres set on rolling, wooded site less than four
miles from Bonham. Individual and group camping
facilities; small lake offers fishing, swimming, and
boating. Also bathhouse, snack bar (summer operation),
miniature golf course, playground, and pedal-boat
rentals. Access via Texas 78 south, F.M.271. Admission.
Fannin County Museum-
Pioneer, local, and regional history exhibits in
restored 1900 Texas and Pacific Railroad Depot. Nine
rooms of antique furniture, tools, vintage clothing, art,
Indian artifacts, railroad memorabilia, photographs, and
historical documents and records. Open Tues.-Sat.
noon-4p.m., Sept.- March; Tues.-Sat. 10a.m.-4p.m.,
April-Aug. One Main Street; phone (903)583-8042.
Fort Inglish Park-
Replica of log blockhouse and stockade built by Bailey
Inglish in 1837; nucleus of homesteads that became town
of Bonham; also three original, restored log cabins ,
pioneer furnishings and artifacts. Open Apr. 1-Sept. 1.,
Tues.-Fri. 10a.m.-4p.m., Sat. and Sun. 1-5p.m. W. Sam
Rayburn Dr. (903)583-3441.
Bonham Sam Rayburn House-
Home of the late "Mister Sam," who served as
Speaker of The House Of Representatives longer than any
other in American history. Built in 1916 and restored to
1961 condition, the year Sam Rayburn died. Original
furniture, china, and personal effects. Hourly tours
Tues.-Fri. 10a.m.-noon, Sat. 1-5p.m.; Sun. 2-5p.m.
Reservations required for group tours; (903) 583-5558.
U.S. 82, 1.5 miles west of city.
Sam Rayburn Library-
Elegant structure of white Georgia marble; library
contains exact duplicate of Speaker Rayburn's U.S.
Capitol office, from pattern on the tile floor to
barrel-vaulted ceiling. Over desk is crystal chandelier,
more rhan a century old, which hung in bothnWhite House
and Capitol. Other mementos include many gavels used on
historic occasions, and 2500-year-old Grecian urn given
by Athens Palace Guard in appreciation for American aid.
Open Mon.-Fri. 10a.m.-5p.m.; Sat. 1-5p.m.; Sun. 2-5p.m.
On 4.3 acre tract along U.S. 82 four blocks werst of
downtown; (903)583-2455.
