This morning we took a trip to Denison, TX, a town of about 22k. This is the home of the birthplace of former President Dwight Eisenhower. This appears to be a fairly nice home, but it is across the street from the local rail road. there are still some tracks and the road bed is still visible in the area. In that time, it was smoky noisy steam engine with coal smoke and soot and lots of noise. So, it was really not a desirable part of town.

The family had moved to Denison from Kansas as that was where his father found work, cleaning steam engines for the rail road. He was born Oct. 14, 1890 and the Einsehowers returned to Kansas in 1892 before he was 18 moths old.

Eisenhower and his five brothers grew up in Abilene, Kansas, which the boys considered their hometown.

After high school and a local job, Eisenhower was accepted to the Military Academy at West Point. Upon receiving his commission his first post was Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, where he met his bride-to-be, Mamie Doud.

U.S. Army Gen. Eisenhower's role in winning World War II prompted Dennison's citizens to make the hero's birthplace a memorial. Eisenhower's first visit back to his birthplace was in 1946 as a war hero. Encouraged by friends to seek our nation's highest office, Eisenhower hit the campaign trail and returned to Denison in 1952. In 1953, Eisenhower became the 34th President of the United States, increasing the historical importance of the little wood-frame house at the corner of Lamar and Day streets.

On our return to the campground, we stopped at a BBQ house and picked up some brisket and other goodies for lunch.

It is back on the road in the morning, however we would have liked to have stayed here a few more days, but we need to be in Fort Smith, AR on Friday.