Denison, Texas

History

Denison was founded in 1872 in conjunction with the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad (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. In 1875, Doc Holliday had offices in Denison.

During the phylloxera epidemic of the mid-19th century, 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.

In 1915, the Kentucky-based evangelist Mordecai Ham held a revival meeting in Denison, which resulted in 1,100 professions of faith in Jesus Christ.

Denison played host to 20th century notables such as the Marx Brothers and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was born on October 14, 1890, in Denison.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.9 square miles (59 km²), of which 22.6 square miles (59 km²) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km²) (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.

Climate

Denison is considered to be part of the humid subtropical area.

Demographics

At 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/km²). There were 10,309 housing units at an average density of 456.3 per square mile (176.2/km²). 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.

Education

Denison is served by the Denison Independent School District. It is also home to Grayson College, which preserves Denison's viticultural heritage with its T.V. Munson Viticulture & Enology Program. At the start of the 2014 school year, a new Denison High School building was completed and ready for use.

High school football

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. The Denison High School football team won the 1984 Texas Class 4A State Championship by beating Tomball 27-13 completing a perfect 16–0 record. They also made three straight appearances in the 1995, 1996, and 1997 Class 4A Division II State Championship games, losing each time to La Marque.

They are also home to the longest high school football rivalry in Texas with Sherman High School called The Battle Of The Ax.

Magazine

Newspaper

Radio stations

Television stations

Transportation

Denison is served by two U.S. Highways: U.S. 69 and U.S. 75 (Katy Mem. Freeway)and two State Highways: State Highway 91 (known as Texoma Parkway and is one of the main commercial strips that connects Sherman and Denison, it also extends to Lake Texoma) and Spur 503 (Eisenhower Parkway) . General aviation service is provided by North Texas Regional Airport. Denison is served by one 24-hour taxicab service provided locally by yellow cab.

Denison is also a member city of the regional public transportation system called TAPS. TAPS has on demand service, fixed routes to Choctaw and Sherman, and services to DFW and Dallas Love Field Airports. As of December 2015 TAPS had ceased most operations due to financial problems. Limited service is available for the handicapped.

Travel destination

In 2013 Lake Texoma and the Hampton Inn and Suites Denison were featured on a travel show entitled The Official Best of Texas which aired on CBS and the Discovery Channel.

Denison is also home to the Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site.

Major employers

Medical services

The city of Denison is served by Texoma Medical Center.

Notable people

President Dwight D. Eisenhower was born in Denison in 1890, and is by far the city's most notable resident. His birthplace was purchased by the city in 1946 (six years before he was elected President) and is now maintained as Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site. In addition, Eisenhower State Park on Lake Texoma is also named in his honor.

Other notable people who were either born in or have lived in Denison include: