Charles Henry Christian

(July 29, 1916 - March 2, 1942) As a child Bonham native Charles (Charlie) Christian was exposed to the guitar artistry and soprano solos of his parents Clarence and Willie Mae Christian. Though taught in the guitar chord technique, he developed a unique single-string style that made his reputation and earned him a place in music great Benny Goodman's band in 1939. A jazz guitar prodigy, he played with Goodman, Count Basie, and at Carnegie Hall before dying of tuberculosis at the age of 25. Recorded - 1994

Charles Henry Christian is a historical marker in Bonham, Fannin County, dedicated in 1994. It is one of 109 historical markers documented in Fannin County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 262 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 33.5669, -96.1802 near Bonham. The nearest cataloged historic site is Gates Hill Cemetery (cemetery), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Clark Memorial United Methodist Church, Texas and Pacific Depot, and Bonham Cotton Mill.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5147008856. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.