Denison and The Nelson House: A Hidden Gem in North Texas
The city of Denison was settled in 1872 from Northern capital and is relatively young as southern cities go. Known as “the Gateway” or “the Gate City”, Denison was the first eligible site south of the Red River where the train could enter through the Indian Territory, and straightaway there grew a city around the shops and terminals. Northern immigration came to Denison by droves and an estimated 3,000 souls occupied the city before the first year was over. Northern industrialists and entrepreneurs took hold of Denison in a frenzied fashion, and money flourished as the community grew.
The first Postmaster often told how he spent $800 to design and equip the new post office and only received from Uncle Sam a salary of $1 per month. That was the spirit in which the first comers to Denison proceeded to make a city, donating their own wealth for the betterment of the community. It is not particularly relevant to state that the original native who called for mail and got nothing asked the Postmaster if “there was any other Post Office in this blamed town.”
The early settlers of Denison were still incredibly young at the end of the 19th century. The first baby born in Denison was just now entering the first free public grade school system in the state. While many Texas cities forgot to provide interior parks until real estate became too valuable, the men who laid out Denison reserved a good oak grove in the heart of the town site and named the area Forest Park. They provided school buildings spacious enough for years to come and paved streets where only forested hills had been a few short years before. A splendid pair of boulevards stretched over the hills and far away into the suburbs, served by a dummy line that made a circuit of seven miles.
New Englanders were known to come to Denison from time to time by the train load. They had felt so much confidence in its future that they left hundreds of thousands of dollars behind them in big buildings, bank capital, acres of property and the largest cotton spinning mill plant in the southwest.
By 1890, Denison boasted sixteen churches, a waterworks, electric lights, a telephone plant, and nearly eleven miles of street and suburban railway. It seems nearly impossible that such a community, intelligent, enterprising, and moral, was the scene of a series of assassinations that would come to be known as Denison’s Night of Terror. **
This is the introduction from Denison’s Night of Terror written by Brian C. Hander. Brian, who grew up and still resides in Denison, writes local history books as a way to give back to his community. All proceeds from this book will go towards public art and improvements throughout Denison. When considering what to share about Denison’s extensive history, Brian consistently came to mind. No one knows the history of Denison like he does. Almost everything about this charming city’s history, I have learned from reading his books.
Denison’s Historic Downtown
The spirit of Denison’s residents is one of a commitment to the betterment of the community both in preserving its history and in the kind, supportive nature of its people. This spirit is palpable in the downtown area. Twenty years ago, a movement began to restore the storefronts to their historic facades; today, only one remains to be completed. Over 200 businesses line the longest Main Street district in Texas, echoing the city’s rich past. The sound of trains rolling through town and the hourly chime of church bells from numerous historic churches serve as constant reminders of Denison’s history. The stories of Denison’s past and present residents are vividly depicted in the murals painted on buildings throughout the area. Downtown Denison hosts around 681 events annually, ranging from music and ice skating to parades celebrating local heroes like Sully Sullenberger and President Eisenhower. We can’t forget about another local hero. T.V. Munson his work saved the French wine industry in the late 1800s. That is how Cognac France became the sister city to Denison. Not far from the town center, you’ll find Ironroot Republic Distillery, an award-winning bourbon distillery whose name honors Munson’s resilient “iron” roots, just off Highway 75 and Loy Lake Road.
Discovering Denison
How did I come to know and love the city of Denison? Glad you asked. In September 2023, we were searching for a home near a historic downtown to renovate and either rent long-term or as a short-term rental. Initially, we focused on the east side of Highway 5 in McKinney due to our proximity in Lucas. However, a good friend and lender kept mentioning the Denison-Sherman area and the ongoing developments there. Despite my initial hesitation, we realized we were late to the party in McKinney. One day, we toured several homes in the Denison area 13, to be exact. I fell in love with the downtown area and the last house we visited. Although we initially lost it, patience and persistence paid off, and we closed on The Nelson House in November 2023.
The Historic House
Let me tell you why I fell in love with this house. It has a majestic pine tree in the front yard and several more in the back. Located less than half a mile from downtown in an area referred to as Sugar Bottom. Yes, there is another story there, but I have a word limit. It is the original Nelson family house on Nelson Street, which remained in the family until late 2022. This historic two-story home, built in the late 1800s, still boasts its original character with hardwood floors, tall ceilings, a large staircase, and 10-foot pocket doors separating the parlor from the dining room. While it needed some paint and a few minor updates, we ended up completely renovating the kitchen, replacing the ceiling, adding spray foam insulation, and replacing some windows and all the concrete. We extended the front driveway and had the landscaping completely redone by GreenVision Landscape Services, a local Lucas company. Although we hoped to finish by March, that timeline didn’t pan out. As I write this article, however, the listing is going live as a mid-term and short-term rental. To see the progress, follow our Facebook page, Historic Home Chronicle, or visit our Nelson House website.
Real Estate in Denison
Over the past nine months of working on the house in Denison, the real estate market has picked up. With announcements of companies moving to Sherman and Denison, the demand for housing is on the rise. Four major mixed-use developments have been approved in Denison, not to mention the Margaritaville Resort on Lake Texoma that was announced earlier this year. According to the Denison Development Alliance, residential permits issued have hit record numbers for the past three years. Despite this growth, properties remain relatively affordable in the area. As a realtor, I’ve helped several clients purchase new homes and investment properties in Denison. Given the high demand for quality rental properties, the area is ripe for investment. A home purchased in February 2024 for $213,000 is now valued at $250,000 an 18% appreciation in six months. Together with my lender friend, we’ve developed an investment strategy for those interested in real estate investments, covering everything from self-directed plans and DSCR loans to long-term and short-term rental options. The things you can accomplish when you don’t have a TV in the house!
Day Trip/Short Term Rental in Denison
If you’re interested in exploring the area or looking for a quick day trip, I encourage you to head north on 75. Just a 50-minute drive from the Lucas-Fairview area and just south of Oklahoma, Denison offers something for everyone. If you enjoy museums, there’s the Studebaker Museum, the Red River Railroad Museum, Perrin Air Force Base Museum, and Eisenhower’s birthplace. President Eisenhower’s 133rd birthday party will be celebrated in October. Although he won’t be attending, the celebration will be something to see! Denison also has its share of rumored haunted spots and offers outdoor activities like Lake Texoma one of the largest reservoirs in the United States and a top destination for striper fishing. You can also rent a boat or go paddle boarding at Eisenhower State Park. There’s always something happening in Denison. As a friend and lifelong Denison resident put it, “Denison has a festival for everything. Doc Holliday was in Denison for four hours, and there’s an entire weekend celebrating.” If you want to stay the weekend there are many short-term rentals to choose from. I know of a good one on Nelson Street.
