Heart of the Red River Valley

Denison-Sherman-Lake Texoma

The heart of the Red River Valley is on the Texas-Oklahoma border, 70 miles north of Dallas via US 75. For area-wide and statewide tourist information, stop by the Texas Dept. of Transportation's Travel Information Center near the Red River bridge on US 75/69.

The area code is 903. All attractions and events are wheelchair accessible, unless otherwise noted.

Denison

Two dozen or so art galleries and antique shops are on Main St. For guides and maps, stop by the Denison Chamber of Commerce, 313 W. Woodard St., Denison 75020; 465-1551; www.denisontexas.com. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30-5. Or contact the Denison Main Street/Downtown Denison Assn., Box 347, Denison 75021; 464-4452; www.ci.denison.tx.us.

The following sites are also on Main St. (zip code 75020): the Iron Horse Grill is in the historic Katy Depot, 101 E. Main St., (464-9225). Hours: Mon-Thu 5 p.m.-9 p.m., Fri-Sat 5 p.m.-10 p.m. The Red River Railroad Museum is inside Katy Antique Station, 104 E. Main St. (463-6238). Hours: Mon-Sat 10-5:30, Sun 1-5. Admission: Free, but donations accepted. Not wheelchair accessible. Watson's Drive-In is at 631 W. Main St. (465-4669). Hours: Mon-Fri 10:30-4:30, Sat 11-2. Barrett's/Horizon Pharmacy is at 531 W. Main St. (465-8514). Hours: Mon-Sat 8:30-7, Sun 12-5. The Old Katy Glass Works is at 205 W. Main St. (465-6460). Hours: Wed-Sat 11-6. Tortorici International art gallery is at 427 W. Main St., and the studio is at 111 S. Fannin (465-4388). Hours: By appt. Wildwood Gallery is at 122 W. Main St. (463-7723). Main Street Country Showcase features varied musical performances in the historic Rialto Theater, 424 W. Main St. (463-1690). Hours: Every Sat. at 7:30 and some Fridays at 8 p.m. Call for details. Fee: $9, $5 age 12 and younger. Limited wheelchair accessibility.

Homestead Winery features a wine-tasting room and sherry facility at 220 W. Main St. (464-0030). Hours: Wed-Sat 11-5:30.

Part of Grayson County College, the T.V. Munson Viticulture and Enology Center and vineyard is at 6101 Grayson Dr., Denison 75020 (786-4382), adjacent to the Grayson Co. Airport. Take US 75 to FM 691, and go west 4 mi. to the center. Hours for self-guided tour: Sep-May Mon-Fri 8-4, Jun-Aug Mon-Fri 7-5, weekends by appt. (call ahead). Write or call for class schedules.

Eisenhower Birthplace State Historical Park is at 208 E. Day St. (at Lamar Ave.), Denison 75021; visitors center, gift shop, picnic area, and a short hiking trail (465-8908; www.tpwd.state.tx.us). Hours: Tue-Sat 10-4, Sun 1-5. Admission: $2, $1 ages 6-12.

Grayson County Frontier Village is on US 75 at Loy Lake Rd. (Exit 67). The mailing address is Box 646, Denison 75021 (463-2487). Hours: Sat-Sun 1-4 (during summer Wed-Sun 1-4). Admission: $1, 50¢ age 12 and younger. Limited wheelchair accessibility.

Southern Style Nuts/Squirrel Brand Co. is at 1501 Commerce Blvd., Denison 75020 (463-3161 or 800/624-8242; www.southernstylenuts.com and www.squirrelbrand.com). Hours: Mon-Fri 8-5. Group tours (minimum of 10 people) are available with one week's notice.

Denison features 3 bed and breakfasts (zip code 75020): Molly Cherry Bed and Breakfast is at 200 Molly Cherry Lane, off Spur 503 (465-0575). Rates: $89-$179. Partially wheelchair accessible. Inn of Many Faces is at 412 W. Morton St. (465-4639). Rates: $85-$120. Not wheelchair accessible. Retreat Inn is at 228 W. Gandy St. (463-5200; www.retreatinn.com). Rates: $80-$105. Not wheelchair accessible.

Sherman

Sherman (zip code 75090, unless otherwise noted), seat of Grayson County, sports 7 antique stores and malls. Kelly Square is at 115 S. Travis (868-1771). In Kelly Square, Gifts by Petite Fleur (892-4971) opens Mon-Fri 10-5:30, Sat 10-5. Kelly Square's 2 restaurants are Kelly's Restaurant & Catering, open Mon-Fri 11-2:30,Sat 11-2 (892-8409), and Travis Street Grille, open Mon-Fri 7-5, Sat 8-5 (868-1036).

The antique mall, A Touch of Class, is at 118 W. Lamar (891-9379). Only first floor is wheelchair accessible. For a complete antique shopping guide, write to the Sherman Chamber of Commerce, 307 W. Washington, Ste. 100, Box 1029, Sherman 75091-1029 (893-1184 or 888/893-1188; www.shermantexas.com.

The chamber also offers a Historical Driving Tour of Sherman map that covers 74 buildings and sites. Included is the Heritage Row of Homes, located from the 300 to 1300 blocks of S. Crockett, which features the C.S. Roberts House, 915 S. Crockett (893-4067). This historic Victorian, Eastlake-style house opens for tours each Sun 1-4, and hosts numerous special events, including a monthly lecture series. Not wheelchair accessible.

The Red River Historical Museum is at 301 S. Walnut (893-7623; www.texoma.net/rrhms). The museum is temporarily closed for renovation. Call for reopening dates.

The Museum of American Victorian Furniture is at 201 E. Lamar (893-5033 or 817/923-6798). Hours: Sun 2-5 and by appt. for groups (minimum of 10 people). Admission: Free. Not wheelchair accessible.

Der Sandwich Shoppe is at 110 E. Houston (892-9305). Great potato salad. Hours: Mon-Fri 11-2.

Blue Door Cafe is at 219 N. Travis (893-5053). Hours: Mon-Thu 5-9, Fri-Sat 5-10. The Tiffin Shop is at 221 Sunset Blvd. (893-4737). Hours: Mon-Fri 11-2.

Austin College is at 900 N. Grand (813-2000; www.austinc.edu). Call for details on special events and cultural activities.

Hart's Country Inn is at 601 N. Grand (892-2271). Call for rates. Not wheelchair accessible.

Lake Texoma

On the lake's Texas side, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offers 6 boat launches, most with picnic and camping areas. Write to the Resident Engineer, 351 Corps Rd., Denison 75027 (465-4990; www.swt.usace.army.mil). For camping reservations, call 877/444-6777.

The Cross Timbers Hiking Trail runs 14 miles from Juniper Point to Rock Creek Camp (not wheelchair accessible). Get a map from the Denison chamber or the Corps office, listed above.

Eisenhower State Park is at 50 Park Rd. 20, Denison 75020 (465-1956; www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/eisenhow/eisenhow.htm). From Denison Dam, go south on TX 91 less than a mile, and turn west (right) on FM 1310. Go 1.8 mi. to the park entrance. For reservations, call 512/389-8900. Some areas are not wheelchair accessible.

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge (6465 Refuge Rd., Sherman 75092; 786-2826; www.southwest.fws.gov/refuges/texas/hagermn.html) is home to migrating waterfowl from late fall to early spring. Take US 82 to FM 1417, and go north 3 mi. to Refuge Rd. Turn west (left) on Refuge Rd., and go 6 mi. to the headquarters, where you can get a bird list and an auto tour map. The refuge's nature trail is not wheelchair accessible.

Grandpappy Point Marina & The Point Restaurant are at 132 Grandpappy Dr., Denison 75020 (465-6330 or 888/855-1972 for marina and 465-6376 for restaurant; www.grandpappy.com). From Denison, take US 75 north to FM 84, turn left (west), and follow the signs to the marina and restaurant. Restaurant hours: Sun-Thu 11-9, Fri-Sat 11-10. Marina hours: Daily 7:30-5.

For information on lake marinas and resorts, boat rentals and charters, and fishing guides, contact the Sherman and Denison chambers or the Lake Texoma Assn., Box 610, Kingston, OK 73439 (580/564-2334; www.laketexomaonline.com).

Events

In March., the annual Arts & Wine Renaissance features food and wine tastings and an art auction in the 300 block of W. Main St., in downtown Denison. Local galleries are also open for tours. For details, contact the Denison Main Street/Downtown Denison Assn., listed previously.

The Texoma Lakefest Regatta, held annually in April, features some 100 competing sailboats. Daily races, dinner, dancing, and charity auctions. All events are at Grandpappy Point Marina (see previous entry for directions). For details, contact the Denison Chamber of Commerce.

The Sherman Preservation League Tour of Homes takes place in April and includes 3 historic homes and 4 museums. Write to Heather Palmer, Box 159, Sherman 75091; 893-4067.

Hot Summer Nights is a free Thu.-night concert series in June and July at the Oliver Dewey Mayor gazebo, on the Sherman Municipal Lawn.

The Sherman Arts Festival, a day of family fun and entertainment on the 3rd Saturday of September, promotes the local arts community. Contact the Sherman Chamber.

Pottsboro hosts Frontier Days in late September, featuring a trail ride, food, games, arts, crafts, and live music. For details, write to the Pottsboro Chamber of Commerce, Box 995, Pottsboro 75076; 903/786-6371; www.pottsborotx.net.

The Texoma Fine Art Tour of area galleries is held annually the 3rd weekend in November. Hours: 10-5. Admission: Free. For tour maps, contact the Denison or Sherman chambers of commerce. On the day of the tour, get maps at the following: ArtWorks, 324-B N. Travis St., Sherman; Old Katy Glass Works, 205 W. Main St., Denison; and Hubbard Galleries, 107 Grand St., Whitewright.

From the March 2001 issue.

Order back issues