Bonham, Texas -- The 12th in a series of articles for the 175th Anniversary of Bonham

What is the story behind the James Butler Bonham statue on the Courthouse grounds?

In 1936, in the midst of the Depression, Texas staged a big celebration to commemorate its 100th year anniversary.  It was essentially a world’s fair centered in Fair Park in Dallas.

In addition to the big event in Dallas, 19 statues were commissioned to honor Texas heroes to be placed around the state.  One of the statues was to be of James Butler Bonham, an Alamo hero, and of course it would be placed in the city named after him.

Noted sculptor Allie Tennant was chosen to sculpt the Bonham statue.  Allie Tennant was a respected Dallas artist.  (Tennant’s best-known work is the nine-foot bronze Tejas Warrior placed over the entrance doorway of the Hall of State building at Fair Park in Dallas).

On Sunday, December 18, 1938, on a bright sunny afternoon, the statue was first unveiled in an elaborate ceremony to which, according to newspaper reports, thousands were in attendance. Several distant relatives of James Butler Bonham were there, as well as dignitaries from Austin, Dallas and Sherman. Allie Tennant was in attendance. Congressman Sam Rayburn made the dedicatory address. The Bonham High School Band played patriotic songs, and school children from the James Duncan and Bailey Inglish schools sang "Texas, Our Texas" as the covering over the statue was removed.

After almost seventy-five years of weathering, the statue was in dire need of cleaning and a new coat to prevent further deterioration. So the Fannin County Historical Commission, led by Tom Thornton, made this their project for 2013.   The Commissioners’ Court approved, and efforts to obtain the approximate $20,000 began.  With more than half donated by local citizens, businesses, and former Bonham citizens, and a generous grant from The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the James Butler Bonham statue was removed and taken for refurbishing on Saturday, December 16, 2013. 

The statue was refurbished and reinstalled.  The re-dedication was held on Friday, November 21, 2014.