Since the early 1900s, the Logan family has been an active part of the Denton community. The family’s connection to Denton started with John Logan Sr., born in 1869, and his wife, Laura, born in 1875. They moved to Denton when Quakertown was at its height, and the family remained in Denton after the community was forced to relocate in the early 1920s.
According to a 2002 article by Tom Reedy of the Denton Record-Chronicle, “the descendants of John Logan and Laura Taylor have been taking care of the physical and spiritual needs of Denton residents for almost a century.” Reedy wrote that the family raised doctors, barbers, cobblers, policemen and clergymen.
The Logan family has served in other ways as well, including active service in the military. According to Zelinda Pegram, great-great-granddaughter of John Sr. and Laura Logan and writer of the family’s history for their reunion in 2002, “we have had a Logan in a war since the Civil War.” To name a few, Arthur Logan served in WWI; Leonard and John Jr. served in WWII; Jack and Clydine served in the Korean War; and John, Ronnie, and Reggie served in the Vietnam War.
Over the years, members of the Logan family also served the community through their businesses. Leonard Sr. owned two businesses: a barbershop and a cafe. Leonard Sr.’s son, Raymond, said in a 2007 interview that he would often take his future wife, Burlyce, there for their dates. “That’s where you went to date…they had a jukebox and everything” says Raymond.
Will Logan and Steve Logan also owned successful businesses in Denton. Will Logan started his boot and shoe repair shop on Hickory St. in the early 1940s. Many Denton residents can recognize this shop by its unique shoe-shaped sign, located right next to the Campus Theater. The shop still operates today, although the ownership changed hands in 1998.
Steve Logan’s establishment was known as Steve’s Bar-B-Q Pit, and it served its popular meats for about 20 years before it burned down in 2003. While the business was running, its building was notable for being covered in bright read and yellow stripes. You can read about what grabbing a meal at Steve’s looked like here: https://mcgarity.me/personal/spicy-or-mild
Steven Logan as featured in the documentary, Barbecue: A Texas Love Story
Steve’s Bar-B-Q pit before it burned down in 2003
In 2002, the Logan family came together for a family reunion. The reunion was a remarkable event for the family, as it brought family members and friends around from all over the country. The three day event was organized by Raymond and Burlyce Logan. It included a tour of the Courthouse-on-the-Square’s exhibit on African-American families of Denton County, a Saturday banquet in Dallas, where Reverend W. L. Logan was keynote speaker, and a church service on Sunday morning at Galilee Baptist Church in Sanger, presided by Reverend Reginald Logan. For the reunion, the family put together a book that included a family history, recipes, favorite poetry, and numerous family photographs. A few of these photographs are included below.
More information can be found research room in the Courthouse-on-the-Square.
Denton County Office of History and Culture: Blog 