Grayson County TXGenWeb

Grayson County
Landmarks

undated Sherman paper

Denison Landmarks
Beginning with an aldermanic form of government the city changed in 1906 to the commission form, Dr. A.W. Acheson, who had already served 2 terms under the old system, was Denison's first mayor under the new government.
The city's first town hall where everything from court ot square dances might be held in 1874, now stands North Denison and is used for a negro church, a steeple having been added to contain the church bell. It is called Quinn Chapel Methodist church.
Two other ancient buildings are the old Acheson house, torn down recently to provide a new residential district, and the Col. R.C. Foster home, reconditioned and how occupied by Mrs. Charles H. Jones. The Acheson house was b uilt in the early seventies and contained the first electric lights, water service and telephones to be installed in Denison. T he Foster home was designed by Lelordoux, a French architect, and built in 1885 by the late Colornel Foster for his bride.
Three miles east of town, in what is known as the Shiloh community, stands a house even more ancient vintage. It is the home of Mr. and Mrs. James W. Lankford, built almost 100 years ago. Mr. Lankford, now 78, is the youngest of 6 children born at t he old house which still retains its original architectural features. Family legend there is replete with the doings of the pioneers of Grayson County.