Grayson County TXGenWeb

Bluff opposite Old Preston
2015

Preston Bend was first known as Washita Bend, having been named by John Hart. John Hart was a trapper, trader and Indian fighter who led a fur trading party to the Washita River in 1822. Returning from Ohio, he located his claim south of the Red River. He later moved to Ft. Warren where he became the first Sheriff of Fannin County. John Hart was killed by Silas Collville, a business partner of Holland Coffee.

Holland Coffee established a trading post at the Bend in about 1816 as an Indian Trading Center. His trading post was located at the junction of one of the Indian trails across the Red River which later became known as the Spanish Trail. Since the stage lines and cattle drovers used this trail, it was also known as the Buffalo Trail, Texas Trail, Shawnee Trail and Military Road. This route was used by Indians and settlers since it followed the ridge between the east fork and the elm fork of the Trinity River.

A fort was established at the Bend by Capt. William G. Preston for whom Preston Bend was named. The fort was used as a station for storing supplies.

In 1845, a large population had gathered around Coffee's Trading Post and a town was laid out. Several businesses from the Ft. Washita area, 25 miles to the north, moved to the new site. The town became know as "Preston"

Source: Preston Bend, A Pictorial History on the Red River by M. C. Haggard & L. C. Montgomery