The 30th in a series of articles
for the 175th Anniversary of Bonham
Bonham, Texas -- The blocks on Main Street south of what is now Sam Rayburn Drive have historically been called Panther Row.
The area was originally called Post Office Row, because the Post Office was there for 30 years, moving around 1885. Then the area began to be called “Panther Row” around 1895.
Although the origin of the name “Panther Row” is not documented, some think the name came from a whiskey with the name “Panther” sold at the saloon.
In the late 1800s these blocks were very busy with many stores. The still lovely First National Bank building was built in 1883.
Just south of the bank was the first location of Saunder’s Drug Store. South of the drug store was Mr. Rosenbaum’s dry goods store.
And further south was a saloon, a billiards parlor and a gambling hall.
The Sanborn map from 1888 shows saloons and billiard halls.
Closer to the railroad depot were hotels.
It must have become a rough area, because newspapers reported on fights there. Someone remarked "A full grown panther would have been scared to walk down that way alone."
Legends abound that there were a number of shootings, knifings, and killings along the row. One documented incident occurred on December 27, 1930 when Fannin County Commissioner Sam Powers was shot and killed on Saturday night about 8:30, when a number of persons were still shopping or attending the nearby movie theatre.
Even into the 1960s many parents and grandparents did not allow their children to walk down Panther Row. Into the 1970s there was a popular pool hall there.
By the 1980s many of the buildings had deteriorated and the south half of the block was demolished.
However, at this time life has returned to Panther Row with the Visitor’s Center and shops and restaurants. And Bonham’s draft Downtown Master Plan envisions the redevelopment of Main Street south to the Fannin County Museum of History and Powder Creek Park.
