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Jefferson, Texas...

Jefferson, Texas..."Riverport to the Southwest". At a time when steamboats plied the Big Cypress River from the Port of New Orleans, true Southern gentility was the order of the day. This sense of timelessness prevails even unto today.
As you stand on the banks of the Big Cypress you’ll get a sense of days gone by. Close your eyes and you can almost hear the whistle of steamboats entering port, the rustle of long petticoats and riverboat gamblers trying their fortune.

Let yourself be whisked away to a land not far away as you glide peacefully along an open-air riverboat where Jefferson’s colorful past comes alive. Take a ride into the 19th century as you travel on a steam engine train of which played a significant role in Jefferson’s history. Relax in a carriage ride and hear the many legends and lore. Relive the past as you stroll through museums and special places of interest. Spend a memorable evening in an historic hotel or motel or one of the many elegant bed & breakfasts. Jefferson is well known as the Bed & Breakfast Capitol of Texas. 

Ease along the brick streets as you enter the merchant’s shops and be dazzled by their variety of wares. Allow yourself to be captivated by culinary delights ranging from casual to fine dining.

Settle in for a journey through time when the living was easy and the era was golden.

  

    Jefferson, Texas is located on Big Cypress Bayou in the Cypress Valley of Northeast Texas. It is the County seat for Marion county. Named for Francis Marion, a Revolutionary War patriot who was known as the "Swamp Fox", Marion County was created in 1860. Jefferson was named for Thomas Jefferson, and was conceived as a port city by Allen Urquhart and Daniel Alley, who saw its potential as the head of navigation when they prepared a plan for the town site in 1841.

    In 1845, when obstructions were removed from Big Cypress Bayou, steamboats could reach Jefferson from New Orleans. After the arrival of the first steamboat, Jefferson became a boom town where many pioneers to Texas first set foot on Texas soil when they disembarked from the steamboats.

     Jefferson became a port of entry into the Republic of Texas and then the State of Texas. It was also a shipping port for those who wished to sell agricultural products, especially cotton. Cotton was brought to Jefferson from as far away as Dallas by ox wagon and then sold in Jefferson through receiving, forwarding, and commission merchants to markets in New Orleans and St. Louis.

     During Jefferson's Golden Era as a steamboat port from 1845 until 1875, it became a cosmopolitan town like most port cities with a confluence of cultures and businesses. The architectural styles, which developed in Jefferson during this period of prosperity, resembled those of New Orleans. The homes were primarily of Greek revival design.

     When the log raft was removed by the Army Corps of Engineers in the year 1873, the water level in Big Cypress Bayou was reduced and navigation to Jefferson was threatened. Railroads were also extended during this period of time across Texas, which reduced Jefferson's commercial market area. The town ceased to be a prominent port city and commercial center. However, many of the mid-nineteenth century homes and buildings remain. 

    Jefferson has become a community with a high quality of life. Tourists come to Jefferson seeking the ambience, relaxation and activities which are provided here. Jefferson boasts many bed and breakfast inns, restaurants, places of entertainment and shops. There are boat rides on Big Cypress Bayou and Caddo Lake, wagon and surrey rides, rides on a steam driven railroad train and tours of historic homes. New residents from across the United States have chosen Jefferson for their home because it is an open, friendly community where people from diverse places and backgrounds feel comfortable in a progressive setting. One of the most common statements from those who have experienced Jefferson is "Jefferson is a magical place and a town that time forgot."

  

 

 

 

Caddo Lake

   Caddo lake is located in Marion County, Harrison County and Caddo Parish Louisiana, a few miles east of Jefferson. It is a beautiful water garden of bayous, cypress trees, Spanish moss, lotuses and water lilies. There are many fine homes and restaurants located on Caddo lake and Big Cypress Bayou. Both day and night tours of this majestic swamp are available.  To visit Caddo Lakes Web-site, please go to caddolakecollections.com and enjoy the history along with some beautiful photos.

pic_lakeothepines.jpg


Lake of the Pines

   Lake of the Pines is a lake operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It has large open water for sailboats, ski boats and other water craft. Its camping nature trails, beaches and other recreational areas are outstanding. On its shores are homes, restaurants and boat marinas.       To  visit  Lake  of the Pines  Web-site, please go to http://www.lakeothepines.com and enjoy the history, fishing report, property for sale and rent, and scenes of the lake.

pic_mardigras.jpg

    Jefferson is a pedestrian community. A resident or visitor can walk to banks, restaurants, coffee shops, governmental offices, antique shops, bars, and park in an intimate riverfront setting. It has recently relocated a circa 1934 Texas Forest Service tower near downtown for broadband access to all wireless services including wireless internet.   To visit the Mardigras(Krewe of Hebe) Web-site, please go to www.mardigrasupriver.com for more information.

 

   Jefferson welcomes investors with energy and vision. Jefferson affords its investors the opportunity to participate in developing a world class community.

 

 

 
  
 

888-GO RELAX  (888-467-3529)
or  903-665-2672: Fax - 903-665-8233
118 N. Vale St.  Jefferson, TX  75657
darlene_wray@sbcglobal.net

  

 

 

 
WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT
MAY 15-18, 2008
 
BULL DURHAM PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS:
   “BATS IN YOUR BELFRIES” Comedy/Melodrama
    Friday & Saturday, May 16-17
    Dinner: 7:30 p.m.
    Play: 8:00 p.m.
    Tickets & Information: (903) 665-6481
 
AUNTIE SKINNER’S RIVERBOAT CLUB & RESTAURANT
    Thursday, May 15:  “Leon Vines” @ 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
    Friday, May 9:  Karaoke @ 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
    Saturday, May 10:  “Anxious” (Classic Rock & Country) @ 9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. 
    (903) 665-7121
 
SCARLETT O’HARDY’S GONE WITH THE WIND MUSEUM
   Thursday, Friday & Saturday, May 14-17: CLOSED
    (903) 665-1939
 
THE GROVE (HAUNTED HISTORIC HOME TOUR)
    Saturday, May 17 @ 2:00 p.m.
     Sunday, May 18 @ 11:00 a.m.
    (903) 665-8018
  * * Call to confirm dates and times
 
HISTORIC JEFFERSON RAILWAY
    Friday, May 16 @ 9:30 p.m. (Ghost Train)
    Saturday, May 17 @ 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. (Day Excursions); 9:30 p.m. (Ghost Train)
    Sunday, May 18 @ 12:30 p.m. (Day Excursion)
   (866) 398-2038
 
GHOST HUNT OF JEFFERSON           
    Friday & Saturday, May 16-17 @ 8:00 p.m.
  (866) 398-2038
 
HOUSE OF THE SEASONS HISTORIC HOME TOUR
   Daily @ 11:00 a.m.
   (903) 665-8000
  * * Call for reservations
 
VIRGINIA CROSS HISTORIC HOME TOUR
    Saturday, May 17 @ 1:00 p.m.
  (903) 665-3938
  * * Call for reservations
  
MCKAY HOUSE HISTORIC HOME TOUR
    Daily @ 11:00 a.m. or by appointment
    (903) 665-7322
 
BIG CYPRESS COFFEE HOUSE
    Friday & Saturday, May 16-17:  Karaoke, etc. @ 7:00 p.m.-12:00 midnight
    Additional eveningsby request
    (903) 665-1665   
 * Call for details
   (903) 665-6655
 
HISTORIC JEFFERSON GHOST WALK 
    Thursday-Saturday, May 15-17 @ 8:00 p.m.
   (903) 665-6289
   * * Call to confirm dates and time
 
LIVING ROOM THEATRE
    Each Saturday with a minimum of 10 reservations. 
   * * Call to confirm dates and reservations.
 
JEFFERSON HISTORICAL MUSEUM
  Open daily – 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  (903) 665-2775
 
JEFFERSON CARRIAGE CO.
   Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
   Historical Tours of Jefferson by Horse and Carriage
  Specializing in Weddings
   (903) 399-8882
   * * Call to confirm hours of operation
 
“LONE STAR CARRIAGE COMPANY OF JEFFERSON, TEXAS
     Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
     Historical Tours of Jefferson by Horse and Carriage
     Specializing in Weddings
    (903) 926-8216
    * * Call to confirm hours of operation
JEFFERSON MULE DRAWN WAGON TOURS
   Thursday-Saturday
   Additional tours by appointment
   Historical Tours of Jefferson by Mule Drawn Wagon
   (903) 930-7224 
 
EXCELSIOR HOUSE HOTEL & JAY GOULD RAILCAR
    Tours daily @ 2:00 p.m. or by appointment
    (903) 665-2513
 
JEFFERSON RIVERBOAT TOURS
    Tuesday-Friday, May 13-16 @ 12:00 noon & 2:00 p.m.
    Saturday, May 17  @ 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.   
   (Weather permitting)
    Closed: Sunday & Monday
   (903) 665-2222
* * Call to confirm tour times
 
“JEFFERSON BICYCLE COMPANY” BICYCLE RENTALS
     210 W. Austin (Across from Jefferson Historical Museum)
     Each Thursday-Sunday @ 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
     (903) 930-7862
* * Call for reservations or stop by
 
H & D EXOTIC DEER FARM & OTHER EXOTIC ANIMALS
    359 P.R. 5730 & Hwy 729
    Open: Sunday-Friday (Closed: Saturday)
     Tour times: 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.    
     (903) 665-9625
* * Reservations required
 
JEFFERSON CARNEGIE LIBRARY
    Monday-Tuesday @ 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
    Wednesday-Friday @ 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
    Saturday @ 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
    Closed: Sunday
    (903) 665-8911
   * * Free Internet Access   
 
Additional tourist information & tours:
Marion County Chamber of Commerce
118 N. Vale, Jefferson, TX 75657
(903) 665-2672