Texas History | Down Home Traveler

With a population around 10,000 people, the town of Bonham, Texas can be found 75 miles northeast of Dallas and 12 miles south of Oklahoma. History can be found in this small, north Texas town.

Bonham is one of the oldest cities in Texas. Settled around 1837, the town was named after James Bonham who fought in the Battle of the Alamo. When the Texas and Pacific Railway came into play, Bonham grew. By 1885, there were multiple churches, public schools and multiple newspapers. Employers included saw and grain mills, an ice plant and the Texas Power and Light Company. During WWII, the US. Army Air Forces maintained a training camp, aviation school and POW camp for captured German soldiers.

Surrounding the courthouse in the town square, statues commemorate the Civil War, Confederacy and the legends of Bonham.

“At the call of his boyhood friend William Barret Travis, he came to Texas in 1835 and engaged in the War for Independence as aide and messenger for Travis. He was faithful unto death at the Alamo March the sixth 1836.”

“To The Confederate Soldiers who sacrificed their lives for a just cause, this monument is lovingly dedicated by the Daughters of the Confederacy, aided by the Confederate Veterans Association of Fanning County.”
“From 1861 to 1865, they fought for principle, their homes, and those they loved. On Fame’s eternal camping ground their silent tents are spread, and glory guards, with solemn round, the bivouac of the dead.”

Another historical figure in this area is Sam Rayburn who was one of the most influential politicians in the 20th century. During his career in the U.S. House of Representatives, Mr. Rayburn’s career would bring him to serving under eight Presidents including Lyndon B. Johnson with which he held a close relationship. In 1914, he purchased 121 acres just outside of Bonham where built his family home. Today, it is open for tours.

Head into town and the Sam Rayburn Library can visibly be seen. It’s a beautiful building that can’t be missed coming into town.

Bonham shows that Texas history is alive and well.

For more information:
Sam Rayburn House Museum

Traveling along Route 6, you can’t help but see historical markers in what seems to be every 2 miles. Here are a couple.

Legend goes…

In 1878, a man by the name of Wootan Wells dug a seventy-five foot well to provide water to his homestead. To his dismay, the water began to turn his dishes yellow and his clothes red. His wife was completely disgusted and wanted out – so they rented their homestead out to a family and moved away. Shortly after, word got out that the folks living on the property were incredibly healthy and this awful tasting water was bring people to the area. Mr. Wells soon realized he may be sitting on a gold mine, he moved home, contacted a US Navy chemist and was told that the water, in this hear parts, were highly mineralized. Soon enough he put out word that the water was curative.

At first the water was being distributed freely, however in 1880 Mr. Wells partnered with a man named T.W. Wade to bottle the water and market the property. Soon enough the town of Wootan Wells was a resort town and a well known one at that. By 1883 the town was complete with hotels, cottages, a post office and spas in addition to at least three more wells. There was even a pavilion with a Mexican String band. A 1.5 mile mule-drawn train was established to bring visitors and bottled water to and from the nearest railroad depot. With the convenience of the train running directly through the area, Wootan Wells was the place to be, drawing tourists from miles away, including Governor James Hogg and his daughters as well as other socialites. By 1890, Wootan Wells had 200 permanent residents and 2,000 summer residents. There is even a rumor that Wild Buffalo Cody had a shooting match with George Washington Holland in 1898.

Pretty soon the town was going full stream with doctors, blacksmiths, wagon makers and schools, however as quickly as the town appeared, the down would disappear. Soon enough with the help of a depression, floods, droughts and financial troubles, the town was declining. By 1914, the town only had one operating hotel, a bottle work, a few cottages and a grocery store. In 1915, tragedy struck as a fire swept through the town. Today this is what’s left…

and to be honest I’m not even sure if this is part of a farmers old barn or actually part of the town but this is the land that sat behind the historical marker.

Be sure to stop and check out some of these markers. Buildings may not remain but history thrives.