Our story
Grayson County’s rich history inspired a group of dedicated residents in 1966 to ask how the stories of its earliest settlers could be preserved. What began as a concern for one historic structure—the Nettie Bass home in Sherman, then threatened with demolition—quickly grew into a much larger vision. Led by Otto Vehle, community members imagined not just saving a house, but creating a Frontier Village where the buildings, artifacts, and daily life of the mid-1800s could be experienced by future generations.
The journey was not without challenges. Early plans fell through, and time was short, but community determination never wavered. In August 1967, a last-minute campaign raised over $5,000 in just five days to relocate the Bass home to Loy Park. Just weeks later, on September 9, 1967, local leaders and supporters gathered to break ground—marking the official beginning of what would become a living tribute to Grayson County’s pioneer heritage.
Though progress came gradually, renewed leadership in the early 1970s– lead by Katherine Summers and Vicki Hempkins– helped bring the vision to life. Land was secured, improvements were made, and by 1977 the site was officially named Grayson County Frontier Village. What started as an effort to save a single home became a lasting legacy—one that continues to preserve and share the spirit of the county’s earliest days with generations to come.
Frontier Village & Museum continues to be run completely by Volunteer time and effort and restorations are funded completely by community support. We would like to thank all our patrons for helping us keep Grayson County history alive for generations to come!
The journey was not without challenges. Early plans fell through, and time was short, but community determination never wavered. In August 1967, a last-minute campaign raised over $5,000 in just five days to relocate the Bass home to Loy Park. Just weeks later, on September 9, 1967, local leaders and supporters gathered to break ground—marking the official beginning of what would become a living tribute to Grayson County’s pioneer heritage.
Though progress came gradually, renewed leadership in the early 1970s– lead by Katherine Summers and Vicki Hempkins– helped bring the vision to life. Land was secured, improvements were made, and by 1977 the site was officially named Grayson County Frontier Village. What started as an effort to save a single home became a lasting legacy—one that continues to preserve and share the spirit of the county’s earliest days with generations to come.
Frontier Village & Museum continues to be run completely by Volunteer time and effort and restorations are funded completely by community support. We would like to thank all our patrons for helping us keep Grayson County history alive for generations to come!
