Old Thompson Home
Denison, Grayson County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Oldest house in Grayson County. Contained county's first post office. Built 1830 near Preston Bend, important trail crossing on Red River. Builder was James G. Thompson, first Chief Justice (county judge), Grayson County, and ancestor of leaders in the area's business and civic life. Structure, of white oak logs, has walnut picture rails and chair rails, pegged Salem "cross and Bible" doors. It was moved here from site of Lake Texoma. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1968 Restored by Nellie Blankenship Chambers, 1950
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Built in 1830 of white oak logs near Preston Bend, a key crossing on the Red River, the Thompson home is counted the oldest house in Grayson County and once held the county's first post office. Its builder, James G. Thompson, served as the county's first chief justice and founded a line of local business and civic leaders. Craftsmanship survives in its walnut chair rails and pegged Salem "cross and Bible" doors; it was moved from the future site of Lake Texoma and restored in 1950.
Why it matters
As a rare surviving structure from Texas's frontier settlement era, the home preserves the everyday material world of the pioneers who crossed the Red River into a new republic.
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Related people
- · James G. Thompson
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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