Bonham
Around Bonham
Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Texas · 38k people
Bonham
Locals say Fannin County
Small-town heart, wide-open skies.
Bonham High School redBluebonnet blue
Welcome to Fannin County, where the pace is slow and the fishing is good. Come for the small-town charm, stay for the sweet tea.
Clubs for Bonham
No clubs for Bonham yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Bonham. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Bonham. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Bonham State Park Lake, trails, and camping in a scenic setting.
- Sam Rayburn House Museum Home of the legendary Speaker of the House, now a museum.
- Fannin County Courthouse Historic 1889 courthouse anchoring the downtown square.
- Lake Bonham Popular local reservoir for fishing and boating.
- Bonham Historic Downtown Square Charming square with shops, diners, and events.
- Honey Grove Historic District Victorian-era homes and a preserved small-town feel.
- Outdoors Fishing on Lake Bonham
- Outdoors Hiking at Bonham State Park
- With kids Bonham State Park
- With kids Fannin County Fair
- Evenings Local dance halls
- Evenings Small-town bars
- Locals love Small-town diners
- Locals love Feed stores
Through the year
- Fannin County Fair September Annual county fair with livestock shows, carnival rides, and local food.
- Bonham Rodeo Summer Local rodeo with bull riding, barrel racing, and family fun.
- Leonard Rodeo Summer Small-town rodeo in Leonard with a community feel.
- Honey Grove Bluegrass Festival Spring Bluegrass music performances in the historic downtown.
- Bonham Fall Festival October Downtown festival with crafts, food, and live music.
Fannin County has hot, humid summers and mild winters. Spring brings storms, while fall is the most comfortable season. Best: Spring and fall offer mild temperatures and clear skies.
Getaways
- Lake Texoma Large reservoir for boating, fishing, and lakeside dining.
- Paris, TX See the Eiffel Tower replica and visit the historic downtown.
- Sulphur Springs Walk the downtown square and visit the historic courthouse.
- Gainesville Frank Buck Zoo and the Santa Fe Depot.
Local flavour
Rooting for Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Texas Rangers (MLB), Dallas Mavericks (NBA), Dallas Stars (NHL), FC Dallas (MLS), Texas A&M Aggies (NCAA), University of Texas Longhorns (NCAA), Oklahoma Sooners (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- BBQ brisket A Texas staple, served at local smokehouses and cookouts.
- Chicken fried steak Classic down-home comfort food found in diners across the region.
- Frito pie A popular Tex-Mex snack, often sold at fairs and small-town events.
- Sweet tea The ubiquitous Southern drink, served at every meal.
Where people go
- Rodeos A staple of rural Texas culture, with local events throughout the year.
- County fairs Fannin County hosts fairs with livestock shows and community gatherings.
- Small-town diners Family-run eateries serving homestyle meals.
- Feed stores Common gathering spots for farmers and ranchers.
- Lakes and reservoirs Lake Bonham and other nearby lakes offer fishing and recreation.
- Historic downtown squares Charming courthouse squares with local shops and landmarks.
Heritage and traditions
Fannin County is proud of its deep Texas roots, from its namesake James Bonham to the legacy of Speaker Sam Rayburn, and its small-town charm with a strong sense of community and agricultural heritage.
This time of year in Bonham
- Harvest festivals and hunting season Fall Fall brings harvest celebrations and deer hunting.
- Leonard Fall Festival October Features local crafts and food.
Say it like a local: “Y'all” — you all
Festivals
- Honey Grove Honey Festival September Celebrates the town's name and local honey producers.
- Bonham Juneteenth Celebration June Commemorates the end of slavery with food, music, and community.
- Leonard Fall Festival October Features local crafts and food.
Landmarks with a story
- Fort Inglish replica Replica of the 1840s frontier fort.
- Sam Rayburn Library Houses his personal papers and memorabilia.
- Fannin County Historical Museum Showcases local history and artifacts.
Food traditions
- Fried catfish From local lakes, often served with hush puppies.
- Peach cobbler A staple at church suppers and community gatherings.
- Chicken and dumplings Comfort food at family dinners.
- Pecan pie Made from local pecans, a holiday favorite.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass Honey Grove hosts an annual bluegrass festival.
- Country music Local venues feature country bands.
- Quilting Quilting bees and shows are popular.
A little history
- 1837 Fannin County created
- 1836 James Bonham dies at the Alamo
- 1930s CCC builds Bonham State Park
- 1960s Lake Bonham constructed
Rivalries
- Bonham vs. Honey Grove football Long-running Friday night rivalry.
- Bonham vs. Leonard football County bragging rights on the line.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Rodeo events
- Outdoors Fishing on Lake Bonham
- Outdoors Hiking at Bonham State Park
- With kids Attending the Honey Grove Bluegrass Festival
- With kids Visiting the Sam Rayburn Library
Locals speak with a North Texas drawl, using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. The accent blends Southern and Western influences, with a slower pace and dropped 'g' in '-ing' words.
Only here
- The Sam Rayburn Library houses his personal papers.
- The replica of Fort Inglish stands on the original site.
- Bonham State Park was built by the CCC.
- Honey Grove is known as the 'Gateway to the Red River'.
New here? A few tips
- Summers are hot and humid; stay hydrated.
- Winters can bring ice storms; be prepared.
- The pace is slower; don't be in a hurry.
- Try the local BBQ and chicken fried steak.
- Learn to say 'Bonham' as 'BON-um'.
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Part of North Texas
Nearby
Every areaSherman–DenisonTexasRed River roots, Texas heartDurantOklahomaWhere the lake meets the Choctaw spiritParisTexasA little French flair in the heart of TexasSulphur SpringsTexasWhere the prairie meets the pines and the stew is always simmering.Lake TexomaOklahomaWhere the lake meets the prairie, and everyone knows your name.GainesvilleTexasWhere Texas meets the Red River with small-town warmth.Dallas–Fort WorthTexasWhere the West meets the SouthArdmoreOklahomaWhere the plains meet the pines, and the lakes welcome you home.
Bonham, TX. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.