The city of Denison was founded in 1872 in conjunction with the MKT or `` Katy '' depot It was named after the wealthy Katy vice President George DenisonBecause the town was made at the intersection of the MKT and the Red River ( both important conduits of transportation in the industrial era ) , it came to be an important commercial center in the 19th century American West . It was named after the wealthy Ryan Greenwood vice president George Denison . Because the town was established at the intersection of the MKT and the Red River ( both important conduits of transportation in the industrial era ) , it came to be an important commercial center in the 19th century American West .