Underdog's Utterings: Denison, Texas... A city of murals

Denison is a pretty old Texas city, having been founded by the Kansas, Missouri, and Tennessee Railroad. It would later become the Katy Railroad and the City of Denison would become its hub for the southwest. The city is actually named after one of the directors of the railroad. There were so many railroad workers in Denison in the 1870's and 1880's that the city became the prostitution capitol of Texas for a while.

Probably the most famous of Denison's sons is Dwight David Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, having served from 1953 to 1961.

This thirty foot bust of Eisenhower is at exit 67 of U.S. Highway 75 and is impossible to miss if you are traveling through Denison. Ike was also a five star general in World War II and Supreme Commander of all Allied Forces in Europe. He was instrumental in preparing the D-Day Invasion.

Another famous son came to the world's attention on January 15, 2009. A flock of birds played a major part in his story.

Chesley Sullenberger was born and raised in Denison before attending the Air Force Academy and beginning his career as a commercial pilot. That fateful day in January he had just taken off from LaGuardia Airport in Manhatten when a flock of birds congested both engines of his plane. Sully didn't have enough altitude to make it back to LaGuardia or to nearby New Jersey, so into the Hudson River he settled his plane in textbook fashion. All 155 passengers and crew were rescued by boats in what is now known as the 'Miricle on the Hudson.'

Another military hero that went unknown for many years also calls Denison home.

Major Jewel Butler was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen of World War II fame. The Tuskegee Airmen became the first black pilots in U.S. Military history. In a test program the 322nd Training Squadron was formed in 1940 with a white commanding officer. They trained in Tuskegee, Alabama in barracks and hangers that later became Tuskegee Institute. In 1942 they were deployed to North Africa and Captain Benjamin O. Davis would become their commander. The squadron flew P-40's, P-47's, and finally P-51's. All of the planes were painted with red tails so everyone would know who they were.

Another Denisonian of note is John Munson. All he did was save the French Wine Industry..

Not once, but twice... An insect invasion destroyed the vineyards of France and Northern Spain in the 1870's and 1880's. Munson used clippings from his own vineyard in Denison and sent them to France to restart their crops.. In 1917-1918 most of the battles of World War I were fought in the fields of France. Again after the war Munson came to the rescue with enough clippings to save France.. In response the City of Cognac, France has requested the City of Denison become her Sister City.

Denison is full of murals on the walls of businesses throughout the city. U.S. Highway 69 runs right through the heart of the city, and just some of the sights vying for your attention...

One of the more recent murals to be added was to the railroad underpass on East Crawford Street.. I was surprised when I took the shortcut this week.. It takes something to dress up a railroad underpass..

This railroad underpass is just about 100 yards from the house that Eisenhower was born in. Speaking of Ike, I found one more that might be of interest while we are on the subject..