* When the sign went up at Doan’s, Texas, many years ago, the highway department lost the apostrophe. Or maybe it was when Doan’s got put on the map. Either way, Doan’s Crossing became Doans, Texas -- no apostrophe. But history recognizes the apostrophe and its significance. So does the Doan’s May Picnic Association. 

The Doan’s May Picnic is a pioneer celebration held every first Saturday in May at Doans, Texas, near Doan’s Crossing on Red River north of Vernon. The event dates from 1884, making it the oldest continuously celebrated pioneer festival in Texas. The 1881 adobe house at Doans is the oldest in the county, home of Corwin F. Doan and his family. Doan traded with the Indians and supplied drovers as they took herds of cattle and horses up the Great Western Trail. Typical picnic agenda:  coronation of a Picnic Queen and King at 11:30 a.m. Lunch follows.  

              Picnic-goers can bring their own or buy barbecue on-site. By afternoon, activities wind down and everyone departs, leaving only the

old adobe and historic markers to keep telling the history of Doans.