Towns Lost to Lake Texoma: The Communities Submerged by Denison Dam

When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed Denison Dam on the Red River in 1944, creating Lake Texoma (one of America's largest reservoirs), five Texas communities disappeared beneath the rising waters. Their stories reflect a common mid-century pattern: progress for the many, displacement for the few.

The Submerged Towns

• Denison, Texas — Not the current city of Denison (which relocated), but the original townsite near the dam.
• Pottsboro, Texas — A small farming community that reestablished on higher ground.
• Gordonville, Texas — Once a thriving cotton and cattle center; residents moved north.
• Preston, Texas — Historic Preston Bend, a key Red River crossing on the Butterfield Overland Mail route.
• Cedar Mills, Texas — Named for its cedar mill and lakeside setting; now a resort area on the new shoreline.

Relocation and Legacy

Residents received government compensation for land and structures. Cemeteries were relocated—over 1,000 graves moved. Some buildings were salvaged; others were demolished or left to flood. The dam provided flood control, hydropower, and recreation, transforming the region's economy.

Underwater Remnants

Divers occasionally explore foundations, fence lines, and bridge remnants. The old Preston Bridge (1918) stands partially submerged—a ghostly landmark. Annual "Old Settlers" reunions keep memories alive among descendants.

Lake Texoma's 89,000 acres now attract 6 million visitors yearly. Beneath the sailboats and bass tournaments lie the streets, homes, and graves of communities that once defined this stretch of the Red River valley.