Denison is a city in Grayson County, Texas, United States. The city's estimated population as of 2007 was 24,103[3]. 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.[4] It was named after the wealthy Katy vice president George Denison.[5] 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.[6]
In 1901 the first electric "Interurban" railway in Texas, the Denison and Sherman Railway, was completed between Denison and Sherman, Texas.[7]
Later, Denison played host to 20th century notables such as the Marx Brothers[8] 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 [1], of the New York Times, broke the story [2]. 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.[citation needed] Artists settled into many of the 19th century buildings along Main Street and converted them into art galleries and artists studios.[citation needed] Denison now is home to the work of many artists with local, regional, and national acclaim.[citation needed] The Denison Arts Council [3] 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 [4], Texas Monthly [5], Art Talk [6] and others.
Geography
Denison is located at 33°44′59″N 96°33′27″W / 33.74972°N 96.5575°W / 33.74972; -96.5575 (33.749703, -96.557393).[9]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.9 square miles (59.3 km²), of which, 22.6 square miles (58.5 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km²) 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.
Demographics
As of the census[1] 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/sq mi (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.
Media
Newspaper
Television Stations
- KTEN - Channel 10 (NBC)
- KTEN - DT Channel 10.2 (The Texoma CW)
- KXII - Channel 12 (CBS)
- KXII - DT Channel 12.2 (My Texoma)
- KXII - DT Channel 12.3 (Fox Texoma)
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.[6]
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.[10] The Denison High School football team won the 1984 Texas Class 4A State Championship by beating Tomball 27-13. 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.[11].
They also have one of the longest high school football rivalries in Texas with Sherman High School called The Battle Of The Ax.[12].
Transportation
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. Denison is served by one 24-hour taxicab service provided locally by Yellow Cab.
Famous residents
U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was born in Denison, and is by far the city's most famous resident. His birthplace was purchased by the city in 1946 (six years before he became 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.[citation needed]
Other famous people that were either born in or lived in Denison include:
References
External links
