Tioga is a town in Grayson County, in the Sherman-Denison metro area having an estimated population in 2003 of 842. The name Tioga is derived from a New York Indian word meaning "swift current" or "fair and beautiful”. Each year the town recognizes the celebrity born and schooled there, Texas’ famous cowboy, Gene Autry, at the Annual Gene Autry Music Festival held in September. This festival features a dinner, benefit auction, and dancing to live country western music. Lots of activities and things to do! Another Tioga treat is the famous barbecue restaurant, Clark’s Outpost. Opened in 1974 Clark’s has been recognized in magazines and frequented by world travelers and superstars. Not to be missed!
Also located nearby in Grayson County, is Austin College, a 4-year, coeducational liberal arts college, which offers Bachelors degrees in five major areas of study.
Tioga is near to some of the best recreational facilities and state parks. In 1989 Lake Ray Roberts opened its 30,000 acres of beautiful waters, which offers camping, swimming, sailing, fishing, and boating to many visitors and families from all over. The State Park also has nine miles of trails for hikers and bicyclists. Eisenhower State Park, with 423 acres, is located in Grayson County on the shores of Lake Texoma. Some of the park’s activities include picnicking, hiking, biking, nature study, fishing boating and boat rentals, water skiing, swimming, and wildlife observation, and a variety of camping areas. Bonham State Park is a 261-acre park located in Fannin County northeast of Dallas, which includes a 65-acre lake, rolling prairies, and woodlands.
LOCATION
Tioga is located in Grayson County on I-377. Cities nearest to Tioga are Pilot Point (5.7 miles), Collinsville (6.4 miles), and Lake Kiowa (9.2 miles). The Dallas Metro area is 47 miles from Tioga.
TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Fort Worth Alliance, and Dallas Love Field are less than 50 miles from Tioga, and provide air transportation both local and international.
BRIEF HISTORY
The community of Tioga was founded in 1881 when the Texas and Pacific Railway reached the site. The crew used water from a local well and named the site “Tioga”, a New York Indian word meaning "swift current" or "fair and beautiful."
The first postmaster was a doctor, Dr. J. S. Nichols. In 1884 the community had two churches, a school, a cotton gin, a grocery, a general store, a pharmacist, a carpenter, a blacksmith, and a population of 60. By 1892 the population was 600, and in 1896 the town was incorporated, at which time it also had added a military academy, a gin and gristmill, and restaurant.
Tioga experienced a population boom due to the discovery of springs rich in minerals. In 1884 the town blacksmith burned his hand, and was said to have healed his wounds in the local water. The mineral waters became known for their positive effects on health. The Tioga Mineral Wells Company was chartered in 1902. Wells were dug, a bottling plant was built, and the water was marketed. Several bathhouses were built offering mineral baths with curative powers. The town became known for its healing springs. It was said that ten trainloads of visitors came to Tioga each day, and by 1925 the population had peaked at 777.
Tioga gained national recognition as the birthplace of the legendary cowboy and singer, Gene Autry. He was employed as a telegraph operator at the Tioga train depot and spent his spare time playing the guitar and singing for passengers and the townspeople. In 1937 an effort to change the town’s name to Autry Springs was made but was unsuccessful. Many of Autry’s ancestors are buried in the Indian Creek Cemetery, which lies west of Tioga. The town continues to recognize its celebrity in the Annual Gene Autry Music Festival given in September.
In 1940 Tioga had a population of 638, a post office, and sixteen businesses. The resort business had declined; but in the 1970s an attempt was made to revive the town and the water bottling business. Old storefronts were renovated, an antique center was started, and many of the town’s commercial buildings were auctioned off in 1982. In 1989 Tioga had a restaurant, a leather store, several convenience stores, and six churches. Many residents commuted to nearby cities to work. There is an historical marker noting the baptism and funeral dates of Samuel T. Rayburn. The population of Tioga in 1980 was 380. In 1990 the town had 525 residents and six businesses.
ABOUT EDUCATION
Tioga Independent School District is a K-8 district located in the southwest corner of Grayson County. As a single campus district there is average of 170 students in Pre-kindergarten through Eighth grade.
Students from Tioga attend Gunter High School, which has an Exemplary Accountability Rating. Gunter High School is about 10 miles from the Tioga school site.
State Accountability Rating for Tioga ISD is Recognized for the year 2004.
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