Denison, Texas

Denison is a city in Grayson County, Texas, United States. The population was 22,773 at the 2000 census, but had increased to an estimated population of 23,957 in July 2006. It is one of two principal cities in the Sherman-Denison Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The city of Denison was founded in 1872 in conjunction with the MKT or "Katy" depot. It was named after the wealthy Katy vice President George Denison. Because the town was established at the intersection of the MKT and the Red River (both important conduits of transportation in the industrial era), it came to be an important commercial center in the 19th century American West.

During the phylloxera epidemic of the mid-1800s, which destroyed the vast majority of wine grapes in Europe, Denison horticulturalist T.V. Munson pioneered methods in creating phylloxera resistant vines, and earned induction into the French Legion of Honor, as well as sister city status for Denison and Cognac, France.

In 1901 the first electric "Interurban" railway in Texas, the Denison and Sherman Railway, was completed between Denison and Sherman, Texas.

Later, Denison played host to 20th century notables such as the Marx Brothers and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was born there. Denison was also the home of the Quedlinburgh Treasure, a collection of stolen 9th century religious relics, while they were hidden in a downtown bank vault by a World War II soldier from Whitewright, Texas. The treasures ended their stay in Denison when William H. Honan, of the New York Times, broke the story [4]. They were displayed in the Dallas Museum of Art, then repatriated to Germany.

In the 1990s Denison began attracting artists to its Main Street district. Artists settled into many of the 19th century buildings along Main Street and converted them into art galleries and artists studios. Denison now is home to the work of many artists with local, regional, and national acclaim. The Denison Arts Council promotes two Fine Art Tours each year to showcase the growing talent of the area. Many other historic buildings now house loft living spaces and specialty shops. Denison arts have been featured in Texas Highways Magazine, Texas Monthly, Art Talk and others.

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Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.9 square miles (59.3 km), of which, 22.6 square miles (58.5 km) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km) of it (1.40%) is water.

Notable geographic features of Denison include its connection to the Red River and Lake Texoma, its position on the Texas-Oklahoma border, and its centrality to the Texoma vernacular region. The landscape of the area is a gently rolling and wooded terrain which stretches northward to the shores of Lake Texoma and the Red River.

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Cityscape

Lake Texoma

Lake Texoma is widely recognized as a top fishing lake, and is one of the most popular recreation destinations in the Southwest. Lake Texoma was built by the Corps of Engineers in the 1940's, and was stocked with black bass and crappie along with the native white bass in the Red and Washita Rivers.

The lake area includes two wildlife refuges, two state parks, fifty four U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-managed parks, twenty-six resorts, hundreds of campgrounds and a variety of excellent golf courses. Power boating, power sailing, personal watercraft, water skiers and wind surfers all consider the lake an excellent place to have fun. Lake Texoma has become a huge sailing center based on the lake's size, depth and miles of sailing shoreline.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Birthplace & Museum

The Eisenhower Park boasts not only the Birthplace home, but also, a visitors center, a covered pavilion, restrooms, and an education building. The park offers picnicking, limited hiking trails and landscaped grounds. The visitors center contains information and displays related to the late presidents life, such as a bronze bust of Eisenhower, historic photographs of the Denison native and the Ike Jacket, the brown short-waisted, tailored wood field jacket sported by the U.S. general.

Waterloo Lake Regional Park

Large, multi-purpose park on 148 acres includes Waterloo Baseball Park, Waterloo Pool, and Culpepper Softball Complex, 52 surface acre lake, newly developed fishing pond, large pavilion with tables, horseshoe pits, of a mile paved walking track, nature trail around lake, multiple playground units, tables, and benches.

Eisenhower State Park

Eisenhower State Park, with 423.1 acres, is located in Grayson County, northwest of Denison on the shores of Lake Texoma. It was acquired in 1954 by a Department of Army lease and was opened to the public in 1958.

Some of the activities include picnicking, hiking, biking, nature study, fishing, boating and boat rentals, water skiing, swimming, and wildlife observation, and a variety of camping.

Main Street District

About ten years ago, many artists began relocating to the downtown Main Street district. Today you'll find numerous galleries and studios showing a diverse assortment of painting, sculpture, stained glass, photography, and ceramics produced by regional, national and international artists.

Main Street Showcase

Two hours of high energy family fun just one hour North of the Dallas Metroplex. From new country favorites to old country classics and southern Gospel hits... to the side-splitting, laugh 'til you cry comedy of Edgar Alan Doolittle... to flash-backs of the fabulous 50's... this show has something for everyone! There's a different theme every Saturday night! It's an entertainment experience full of non-stop surprises!

Grayson County Frontier Village

Located in Loy Park, this pioneer settlement of 17 homes and buildings has been carefully restored to present an accurate portrayal of life in the mid-1800s. A museum housed in a log cabin displays artifacts of early life in Grayson County.

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge lies on the Big Mineral Arm of Lake Texoma, on the Red River between Oklahoma and Texas. Established in 1946, the refuge includes 3,000 acres of marsh and water and 8,000 acres of upland and farmland. During fall, winter, and spring, the marshes and waters are in constant use by migrating and wintering waterfowl.

Munson Vineyards

Known as the Worlds Chief Vineyard Expert, T.V. Munsons development of hybrid grape varieties is acclaimed world-wide. many of the varieties, along with his innovative trellis, are on display on a 5 acre tract on the west campus of Grayson County College; includes a viticulture museum.

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Culture

Media

• Newspaper - The Herald Democrat

Television Stations

• KTEN - Channel 10 (NBC)
• KTEN - DT Channel 10.2 (The CW Texoma)
• KXII - Channel 12 (CBS)
• KXII - DT Channel 12.2 (My Texoma)
• KXII - DT Channel 12.3 (Fox Texoma)

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Economy

The close proximity between Denison and Sherman help both cities to be strong economic areas. Denison contributes a significant number of retail, commercial and industrial companies to the partnership. Despite the close connection between the two cities, Denison has a cultural and economic feel all its own.

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Law & Government

The Denison City Council is made up of seven members elected by the residents of the City of Denison. Four of the council members are selected from single member districts and three are elected at large. The seventh of these places is the Mayor.

The councils function under the Council Manager Government form is to enact legislation, adopt budgets, determine policies, and appoint the city manager who executes the laws and administer the government of the City.

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Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 22,773 people, 9,185 households, and 6,135 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,008.1 people per square mile (389.2/km). There were 10,309 housing units at an average density of 456.3/sq mi (176.2/km). The racial makeup of the city was 84.02% White, 8.62% African American, 1.67% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.19% from other races, and 2.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.23% of the population.

There were 9,185 households out of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,474, and the median income for a family was $39,820. Males had a median income of $30,459 versus $21,451 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,685. About 11.9% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.8% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.

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Education

The City of Denison is served by the Denison Independent School District. It is also home to Grayson County College, which preserves Denison's viticultural heritage with its T.V. Munson Viticulture & Enology Program.

Munson Stadium seats 5,262 people and is primarily used for American football. It is the home field of Denison High School's Football and Soccer teams.[10] Denison High School football team won the 1984 Texas Class 4A State Championship by beating Tomball 27-13 under Head Coach Marty Crisswell.They also made 3 straight appearances in the 1995,1996,and 1997 Class 4A Division II State Championship games under Head Coach Bob Brown.,Losing each time to LaMarque(31-8,34-3,and 17-0)[11].

They also have one of the longest high school football rivilaries in Texas with Sherman High School called The Battle Of The Ax.It is always the last game of the season.

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Infrastructure

Denison is served by two U.S. Highways: U.S. 69 and U.S. 75. General aviation service is provided by North Texas Regional Airport/Perrin Field. The TTC-35 component of the planned Trans-Texas Corridor will also go through or near Denison.

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