Fannin Street: From Lead Belly to Guy Clark to Tom Waits

There are plenty of places in Texas named Fannin. There is Fannin County, the town of Fannin, Fannin Middle School, and a fair number of Fannin Streets. But who exactly was Fannin and why is he important to Texas?

In the Texas Revolution, James W. Fannin was the commanding officer who lost his life in the Goliad Massacre on this day in 1836. Before that fateful day at Fort Defiance, Fannin also participated in the Battle of Gonzales and the Battle of Coleto Creek. For more information about this Texian colonel, see: https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ffa02     

Folks who have spent any time in Houston have probably been to Fannin Street considering that it runs right through the center of town. Lead Belly sang about one Fannin Street or another, and Houstonian Guy Clark, in his song "Don't Let the Sunshine Fool Ya," tells us that "Fannin Street on an afternoon is such an easy way to get a tune." Tom Waits also sings a little ode to "Fannin Street," and I think it is a fine little ditty. But don't take my word for it, give the video a little clickity-click and listen for yourself.