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County Seat Stories & local character

Sherman Is the County Seat and Largest City in Grayson County

Grayson County History & Culture

Sherman sits about 65 miles north of Dallas on U.S. Highway 75. It has been the county seat since Grayson County was established in 1846. Most county government functions are based here, including the county courthouse, the appraisal district, and the tax office.

Denison is the second-largest city in the county. Other communities include Whitesboro, Van Alstyne, Pottsboro, and Whitewright. If you need to file documents with the county, pay taxes, or visit a county court, Sherman is where to go.

Content last revised 2026-07-11

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More stories and useful context near Grayson County

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Stories & local character

Lake Texoma Was Created by a Federal Dam Authorized in 1938

Denison Dam on the Red River created Lake Texoma. It is a major federal water project that changed the county's economy and landscape.

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Stories & local character

The 1930 Sherman Riot Destroyed the Courthouse and Left a Mark on Local History

On May 9-10, 1930, a mob attacked the Grayson County courthouse, burned it, and lynched a Black man awaiting trial, one of the most violent racial incidents in Texas during that era.

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Practical

Lake Texoma Has a Special Fishing License That Covers Both States

Because Lake Texoma straddles the Texas-Oklahoma border, a special low-cost license lets you fish the whole lake without needing two state licenses.

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Stories & local character

Denison Is the Birthplace of Dwight D. Eisenhower

Denison, Texas is where the 34th U.S. President was born in 1890, and the Texas Historical Commission operates his birthplace as a public historic site.

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Place pages in Grayson County

BellsCollinsvilleDenisonDorchesterGunterHowe

Nearby county shelves

Collin (49) Cooke (12) Fannin (12) Denton (48) Hunt (21) Rockwall (30)