Documentary explores the history of Denison Dam and Lake Texoma
By Emma Trent
Nov 14, 2016
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The Friends of Sam Rayburn is proud to sponsor a screening of Denison Dam – Taming the Raging Red, a documentary by writer-producer-director Gene Lenore at the Sam Rayburn Library Museum on November 15, 2016, 5:30 p.m.

Sam Rayburn at proposed site of Denison Dam, early 1940s.

The film contains archival footage and historic photos from the early days of the dam’s construction through the 1957 flood that sent water over the spillway for the first time.  Among the film’s highlights are footage of the official dam dedication in 1944; an American military demonstration on Lake Texoma in June, 1945, showing how invasion landings were being made in the Pacific Theatre during World War II; and color scenes from Burns Run - Lake Texoma’s Coney Island from the 1950s. 

Outlet works structure, Denison Dam and reservoir, 1941

The 40-minute-long documentary also features interviews with former residents of Hagerman, TX and Woodville, OK before the towns had to be abandoned because of the Denison Dam project.

The event is free and open to the public.  Gene Lenore will be on hand to talk about the film and answer questions.  The Sam Rayburn Library Museum is located at 800 W. Sam Rayburn Drive, Bonham, Texas.

Gene Lenore, writer-director-producer of Denison Dam-Taming the Raging Red

The Friends of Sam Rayburn is a non-profit organization that supports the Sam Rayburn House Historic Site and the Sam Rayburn Museum.  For more information about this event or about the Friends of Sam Rayburn, please call 903-583-2455.