Doc Holliday and Denison, Texas

                                                          Doctor John Henry Holliday 

Denison was founded in 1872 in conjunction with the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad (MKT) or "Katy" depot. It was named after the wealthy Katy vice president George Denison. Because the town was established at the intersection of the MKT and the Red River (both important conduits of transportation in the industrial era), it came to be an important commercial center in the 19th century American West. In 1875, Doc Holliday, the notorious gunfighter, had his dental offices on Main Street  in Denison. When approached about a killing in Dallas, Holliday suddenly relocated to Colorado.

During the phylloxera epidemic of the mid-19th century, which destroyed the vast majority of wine grapes in Europe, Denison horticulturalist T.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 with Cognac, France.

In 1901 the first electric "Interurban" railway in Texas, the Denison and Sherman Railway, was completed between Denison and Sherman, Texas. 

In 1915, the Kentucky-based evangelist Mordecai Ham held a revival meeting in Denison, which resulted in 1,100 professions of faith in Jesus Christ.

Denison played host to 20th century notables such as the Marx Brothers and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was born on October 14, 1890, in Denison.

1929 Ford Model A

        By now you may have noticed that I am an old car fanatic... I grew up in the garage of my older brother and he was always in some stage of restoring or remodeling an old car..
     As I was driving down Main Street in Denison yesterday I spotted something different in one of the store fronts.. There was a gorgeous Ford Model A right in the front window..  Naturally, I had to investigate..

      It is a coupe with a cabriolet top, and in my estimation, in perfect condition. Most autos from this era came in black, but for a little extra ($) you could have it painted any color you desired. This one is a light tan color with black fenders. My first question was: How did they get it in the store since the front door was rather inadequate. 

      The saleslady said she didn't know for sure, but thought they brought it in through the back door and rolled it to the front on rollers. Check out the oogah horn below the left headlight. I also noted the gravel screen over the radiator. My dad use to tell me about being broke down because of some rock being thrown through the radiator.
    

       The interior of the car is exceptionally clean and, despite the 'No Touch' sign, I opened the passenger side door to get this shot. All of the pedals and controls are in their original position and the dash is exactly as Henry Ford planned 87 years ago. That white button on the steering column is the horn,...and I feel safe in telling you the red knob on the gear shift lever is NOT original.

      The rear of the coupe shows off a lot of items that were not standard for the day. I am pretty sure the Model A's only came with one tail light, where this one has two. Those original wire wheels are a costly item if purchased alone, and here you have five of them. They are getting harder and harder to find if you are looking to restore one of your own. Another accessory is the steps on the right side bumper and at the top of the right fender...

      The steps allow for easy access to the rumble seat. I have spent many an evening riding in a rumble seat while my older brother had a date up front. This one is in great shape and has obviously been reupholstered. Usually you can find chips and flaws around the edges of the trunk and doors, but this one shows the owner took a lot of pride in finishing a great looking coupe.

      They tried to give off a Bonnie and Clyde impression as the mannequin standing next to the coupe held a rifle in her hands. Actually, Bonnie and Clyde went on their bank robbing spree in the mid 1930's.
     Despite the inspection sticker showing 1997 as the last time the coupe was registered and inspected, the saleslady said it does run. The owner has driven it in numerous parades in the local area. The car has an engine (4 cylinder) and transmission in it and everything looks pristine.... so naturally I asked if the car was For Sale. She said it was and they have a asking price of eleven thousand and five hundred dollars ($11,500). I thought it was a great price for a Model A of this condition, but I am long past the age of acquiring another hot rod.
     I thought there might be another car crazy nut in the market for a super Model A. If you are that nut,.. the car is located at Main Street Mall, 500 West Main Street in Denison, Texas 75020. They have an email address of: mainstreetmalldenison@Yahoo.com.
Their phone number is (903) 463-1230... ask for Jay Connelly or Cindy Sheehan. 
    Who knows... This could be your Model A Coupe very soon.