Mr. Sam's House in Bonham

A few months ago I visited Sam Rayburn's house in Bonham. I did not have time to tour the facility because of other engagements, however, I did take some photographs of the house's exterior and soaked myself in the history of Texas's legendary congressman. That being said, I do plan on touring the interior in the next year. "Mr. Sam" is a well-researched character in Texas history, and there is so much to write about him. I will keep this historical excerpt brief. Sam Rayburn was born on January 6, 1882 to Martha Clementine and William Marion Rayburn, a former Confederate cavalryman. He was one of 11 siblings. Rayburn attended East Texas Normal College between 1900 and 1903, where he studied under the progressive facilitator William Leonidas Mayo and excelled in history, ethics, and theatre (he is the school's most distinguished alumnus). An ambitious young man, Rayburn first entered the political scene in 1906 when he won a seat in the Texas House of Representatives. He was respected and admired by his political colleagues and foes, and later clinched the Texas speaker role at age 29.

Portrait of Sam Rayburn, the newly-elected Speaker of the House, 1941. Painted by Douglas Chandor.

Rayburn ran for the Texas District 4 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1912 and won as a dark horse. He remained in his seat for the next 48 years, loyal to his constituents. Owing to his popularity, he never faced a Republican opponent. Rayburn was a political wizard and a strategic genius, driving key pieces of legislation through the House and into law (he played a large role in passing FDR's New Deal programs). Despite being a lifetime Democrat and party loyalist, Rayburn was not afraid to jump the aisle and collaborate with his political foes, presidents and congressmen. He collaborated with eight presidents, between Woodrow Wilson and John F. Kennedy. His passion for Congressional values was unwavering. Rayburn also served as minority leader, majority leader, and Speaker of the House for an unprecedented 17 years (a record that stands today!). In the later part of his political career, Rayburn is best remembered for being a mentor and father-figure to Senator Lyndon B. Johnson (who would be JFK's successor). Prior to his death, Rayburn helped usher in a new, fairer era of national politics by passing the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960. The legendary Texas-grown politician died of pancreatic cancer on November 16, 1961. He was 79 years old. 

Standing in front of Mr. Sam's house in Bonham, TX. This is a cool piece of history!

"Mr. Sam" always had a home in Texas, despite his heavy involvement in D.C. He purchased 121 acres of land west of Bonham for $6,000 in 1914, two years after his successful congressional election. In 1916, construction on a two-story clapboard home began; Rayburn's parents lived in the residence for a few years before their deaths. Several rooms and front porches were later added by architect W.B. Yarbrough. Rayburn paid an electric company to erect poles and run electric lines to his home in 1935; the Rayburn House was one of the first residences in poor Northeast Texas to have both electricity and running water (a well and windmill to pull water out of the well were constructed in 1917). Since he enjoyed the outdoors, Rayburn was often found wearing blue jeans and cowboy hats in the yard, either gardening (and producing cotton, corn, and sorghum crops) and tending to his cattle. His favorite room was the sitting room, which he often used as a study during his trips home. One of Rayburn's biggest regrets was that he did not have a son (his marriage with Metze Jones was short-lived and did not produce children); prolific author Robert Caro noted that the speaker would have loved to go fishing with his boy. The Sam Rayburn Foundation deeded the home to the state in 1972, and the Texas Historical Commission established the museum in 1975. "Mr. Sam's" house is a handsome residence, and I can not wait to step back in time and tour the facility's interior soon!

"If a man has good sense, he has about all the sense there is." - Sam Rayburn

My beautiful wife and dog sit in front of the Sam Rayburn statue on Texas A&M-Commerce's campus. The student center is named after Mr. Sam, the most illustrated alumnus of the institution. Rayburn played an instrumental part in creating the Air Force ROTC at East Texas State Teachers College following WWII (this program was discontinued in the early 1990s).

The Sam Rayburn Library is also located in Bonham, and houses many of Mr. Sam's political documents and artifacts. This facility was closed when I visited because of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Behind me is one of the tractors Rayburn used to till the soil.

Rayburn thoroughly enjoyed spending time in his Texas district. He is photographed in his garden.

The servants were housed on site. This facility was once the residence of Mr. Sam's gardeners.

The chicken coup and tool shed in the back yard. There were several noisy chickens when I visited the property!

The rear of Rayburn's house. Members of the Rayburn family fondly remember Mr. Sam's cook Bobbie Phillips. Mrs. Phillips rang the bell in the back yard every day at 11:30am to call the family and farmers to lunch.