What is the history of Denison, Texas?
The city of Denison was founded in 1872 in conjunction with the MKT or “Katy” Train stationdepot. Because Denison was established at the intersection of the MKT and the Red River (Mississippi watershed)Red River (both important conduits of transportation in the industrial era), it came to be an important commercial center in the Old West19th century American West. During the phylloxera epidemic of the mid-1800s, which destroyed the vast majority of wine grapes in Europe, Denison horticulturehorticulturalist Thomas Volney MunsonT.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. Later, Denison played host to 20th century notables such as the Marx Brothers and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was born there. In the age of the automobile Denison waned in regional importance, and its current population is largely employed by Tyson Foods, Texas Instruments
