Mildred Welch was Fannin County Chairman of the Fannin County Historical Commission in 1976. The State office in Austin notified Mildred that each county in the State of Texas should form a Bicentennial Committee and plan events for the county to celebrate during 1976, the 150th birthday of Texas.
The county historical commission was under the jurisdiction of the County Judge and every incorporated town in Fannin County had a representative on the commission.
At the organizational meeting for the Bicentennial, Bryce McIntyre, Chamber of Commerce Manager, was elected chairman; Mildred Welch, Heritage chairman; and Bob Williams, treasurer.
The Heritage Committee held an organizational meeting and selected the rebuilding of Ft. Inglish, the first Bonham building, as the principal project.
The replica was the major undertaking of the Heritage Division of the Fannin County Bicentennial Association. It was given the number one listing by the division in the organizational meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Welch.
Fort Inglish Replica Association members made plans to push the work for the rebuilding of Fort Inglish and named M.L. Brent as President; Mrs. Joe Welch, Vice President; Bob Williams, treasurer. Directors of the Fort Inglish Replica Association were Dr. William King, V.L. Barnett, C. E. Hope, Sammy Smith, Guy Glenn, Mrs. Larry Simpson, Mrs. Claude Devenport. Also listed members of the Fort Inglish Replica Association were Bryce McIntyre, Joe Scasta, Robert Taylor, Lucille Hackley, Dr. John Durst, Dr. John Jameson, and Kate Estes.
Steps were taken to make the project a corporation. The Fannin County Historical Survey Committee joined the Heritage Committee in sponsoring the project. Members of the executive committee of the Heritage Division were Mrs. Welch, chairman; Dr. William King, Dr. John Jameson, Mr. and Mrs. M.L. Brent, Mrs. H.D. Swann, Mrs. Paul Campbell, John Black, Gene Williams and Mrs. Claud Devenport.
Joining the Heritage Committee in sponsoring the project were members representing the incorporated towns of Fannin County were Doug Franklin of Ladonia; Miss Alma Broderick of Honey Grove; Mrs. John Smith of Ector; Rob Roy Gattis of Leonard; Mrs. Polly Henderson of Savoy; and Mrs. Laura Butler of Trenton.
Members of the Advisory Board Steering Committee were Dr. Jameson, chairman; Dr. Durst, vice chairman; and Mrs. Devenport, Charles Carter, Bobby McCraw, Claud Devenport, David Miller and Jerry Don Miller. Other members of the Advisory Board included Dan Mize, Ray Peeler, H.G. Delaney, Thad Finley, Thelbert Wingate, Mr. and Mrs. John Glenn, Miss Juanita Spencer, Mrs. Millard Brent, Rev. Bob Bush, Mrs. Cora Baxter, Bob Weiters, Mrs. Irene Brown, Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Thornton, Gene Willis, Rollo Davidson, Mrs. Gladys May, Mrs. Matilda Peeler, Loyd Johnson, Mrs. Jody McMillan, dick Grunert, Leeman Sewell, Henry Lovelace, Terry Hoggatt, Bill Bennett, Charles Turbyfill, Pat Sitzler, Ronny Sudderth and Mrs. Sue Collins.
A track of land was made available by the city of Bonham. It was located west of Sam Rayburn Library. The replica faced U.S. Highway 82, which is now U.S. Highway 56.
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held at the site with Bryce McIntyer, C.E. Hope, Guy Glenn, Mrs. Harry Swan, Mrs. Lucille Hackley, and Joe Scasta participating.
The late Lawton Wilson of Trenton had the unique distinction of building both replicas of Fort Inglish. He was contracted by the state of Texas to build the replica of the first fort in 1936 as a Texas Centennial project and was hired to supervise the building of the second replica.
The late Faye Jones, an electrical contractor in Bonham for many years, drew specifications and blueprints for both forts.
The replica of Fort Inglish was dedicated September 25, 1976 in honor to the memory of Fae Jones. Mrs. Ruth Jordan, daughter of Mrs. Jones, traveled from Virginia Beach, Virginia for the occasion.
Fort Inglish is located at Highway 56 and Chinner Street across from Sam Rayburn Library in Bonham, Texas. It is open the months of April through September, Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to
12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., also on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations may be made through the Sam Rayburn House, 903-583-5558.
For more information and to volunteer call Mildred Welch at 903-640-2228 or write Fort Inglish, Box 395, Bonham, Texas 75418.
You can also find information online at www.bonhamchamber.com.