Want to Know More about Denison, Texas?

Denison, Texas, nestled in northeastern Grayson County, boasts a rich history rooted in the expansion of the railroad. Founded in 1872 with the arrival of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad (the Katy), it was named after George Denison, the vice president of the railway. The town quickly grew, establishing Texas’s first free public school in 1873 and the state’s first women’s club in 1876. By the late 19th century, Denison had become a vital retail and shipping hub for North Texas, with multiple rail lines connecting it to other communities, including the first interurban electric line to Sherman in 1896. Its early industries included cotton presses, a flour mill, and a large slaughterhouse. Denison is also notably the birthplace of the 34th U.S. President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, in 1890, whose home is now a state historic site. The city further distinguished itself through the work of horticulturalist T.V. Munson, who developed phylloxera-resistant grapevines that saved the French wine industry in the 1800s, earning him the French Legion of Honor.

In the present day, Denison maintains its historical charm while embracing growth and revitalization. Its downtown area has garnered national recognition, receiving the prestigious Great American Main Street Award in 2025 for its excellence in preservation-based commercial district revitalization. This vibrant downtown is home to over 200 independently owned businesses, including unique shops, art galleries, antique stores, and restaurants, and hosts a multitude of annual events. Denison’s connection to its past is evident in attractions like the Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site and the Red River Railroad Museum. Looking to the future, Denison is poised for significant development with projects like Preston Harbor, a planned community on Lake Texoma that is expected to include thousands of homes, a resort hotel, retail, and an upscale marina, potentially doubling the city’s population from its current approximately 26,000 residents. The city continues to be a regional center with a diversified economic base, including major employers in healthcare, manufacturing, and education.