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The City of Jefferson, Texas. A thriving riverport in the 1800's, the town is now a sleepy, delightful little place where a traffic jam means two cars in front of you at the red light, and it's not unusual to pass a horse and buggy as you drive down the street.
You can relax on the steps of a gazebo, read a book under the shade of a 100 year old oak tree, or take a boat trip down the Big Cypress Bayou. There are many fascinating tour homes, museums that will keep you entertained for hours, restaurants with some of the best cuisene that you'll find anywhere, and if you'd like, you can even dance the night away to a live band.
You'll find over one hundred buildings in Jefferson that have been awarded historical markers, and there are over forty bed and breakfasts, along with two historic hotels. As you walk the streets of town, you will discover art studios, antique shops, and any number of other curious stores to explore, all housed in historic buildings.
You can visit Jefferson two dozen times and never have the same experience - it's a magical place, much like the mysterious city of Brigadoon that appears out of the countryside mist. Below are just a few of the things that you'll find...
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Mardi Gras Upriver
Mardi Gras is one of the most festive seasons in Jefferson. The tradition started many years ago, when steamships came up Big Cypress Bayou from New Orleans, bringing with them the celebrations of the City of the Crescent Moon. Mardi Gras celebrations were popular a hundred years ago, and they are carried on today! Click here to see the Mardi Gras Upriver celebration.
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Holiday Trail of Lights
Start planning your holiday visit now! Jefferson is one of six cities participating in the Holiday Trail of Lights, featuring literally MILLIONS of lights, live entertainment, and other holiday festivities. You won't want to miss the spectacular site as the historic riverport City of Jefferson lights up the night for the holiday season! For more info, click on the official website
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Excelsior House
The Excelsior House was founded by the steamship captain william Perry and has been in continuous operation since the 1850's. Be sure to take the tour of the hotel - the place is filled with breath-taking antiques and wonderful stories. Follow this link to the Excelsior House home page for extensive photos, or click here for a few of our shots from one of our stays in the 1990's.
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One of the most interesting conferences in Jefferson is coming up soon - click on the banner below for more information!
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Jefferson General Store
The General Store is definitely worth a look. In the 1870's it started out as a hardware store,
and later a functioning general store to serve the Jefferson area.
Not only does it have an soda
fountain, but is probably the last place in the world where you can get a 5-cent cup of coffee.
They have a delicious selection of jams, jellies, salsas, and so much stuff that you'll spend
an hour inside just browsing.
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If you've ever wished for a cola from an old-fashioned soda fountain, then you have to make this place one of your stops - Tami's favorite is their Vanilla Cola. Not only is there a lot of shopping to do here, from books to Texana items to some wonderful eats, but if you're lucky you'll find them making fresh candy. The smell is exquisite!
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Historic Oakwood Cemetery
The local cemetery is a place worth spending some time. Find Brookshire's Grocery on Hwy 49, and go north on the street to the west of it - Alley St. You'll cross railroad tracks, then see a water tower on the right. Oakwood Cemetery is behind it, so go through the gate and drive to the back for the oldest part. Not only does it have many historic markers, but some of the epitaphs are very memorable.
Click here to learn more about Jefferson's Historic Oakwood Cemetery.
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The Tomb of Diamond Bessie
The story of Diamond Bessie is one of the city's most popular tales. The tragic tale of her
death and the murder trial that ensued all took place in 1877. Click
here to read all about it. You'll find her grave when visiting Oakwood Cemetery.
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Lamache's Italian Restaurant
Ah, Lamache's... one of our favorites in town. Located next to the Jefferson Hotel, there's nothing on the menu that isn't delicious. Mitchel's favorite is the Chicken Diavolo, which packs a little heat. If you'd like our own recipe for it, click here. On busy nights, reservations are definitely in order.
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House of the Seasons Tour
The House of the Seasons was build in 1872 by Colonel Benjamin H.
Epperson who was a prominent lawyer, political leader and entrepreneur. At that time,
Jefferson was one of the largest inland port in Texas. The house itself is restored inside and out,
and the current owners are sticklers for authenticity. It is very impressive. The name
House of the Seasons,
comes from the dome,
which contains frescoes representing the four seasons.
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The Battle of Port Jefferson
On Pilgrimage weekend every year, Civil War re-enactors create a detailed and authentic armed conflict in the "Battle of Port Jefferson". You can attend the Period tea and style show for ladies, watch the safety and authenticity inspection for the Confederate and Union forces, and witness the battle first-hand - it's like stepping back in time! Click here for some photos from the battle.
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Harriet Potter Memorial
Harriet Potter was once called "The Bravest Woman in the State", and her law suit against her husband's estate laid the groundwork for many women's rights today. You can read all about her at her entry on the Handbook of Texas Online website.
To visit her memorial, go north on 49 out of Jefferson for 19 miles. At the intersection with FM 727 you'll see the Historical Marker for Robert Potter. Turn right on 727, go 5 miles, then turn right where you see the sign that says, "Harriet Potter Memorial". It's just a little ways down that road - you can't miss it.
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The Living Room Theater
And speaking of Harriet Potter, while you're in town, be sure to get tickets to see Marcia Thomas in her one-woman play "Texian Woman". The play is about Harriet Potter's life, and is told through the eyes of Ms. Potter herself (incredibly portrayed by Marcia). It starts out with the frail, old Harriet in her final year, and takes several leaps back to the her younger days of her fascinating life. You MUST see this play while you're in town - it's wonderful! Seating is limited, and the performance that we attended was sold out, so get your tickets in advance.
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Turning Basin River Tour
The Big Cypress River winds from Caddo lake up to Jefferson - in fact, the riverboats from
New Orleans took this route to bring travelers and products into Texas. The good folks at
Turning Basin Tours have been guiding
visitors down the bayou for sixteen years, and provided
us with an hour-long trip. You'll be treated to a very relaxing time, and get to see all
manner of vegetation and wildlife. Stories from the history of the river and Jefferson itself
round out the excursion.
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The Jefferson Hotel
The historic old Jefferson Hotel features excellant accommodations: the rooms are decorated to period, and the staff is wonderful. The hotel is within walking distance of almost everything in town, and is a great home base for a stay.
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Caddo Lake
Caddo Lake is just a short drive away from Jefferson. It's mysteriously beautiful, and you'll fall in love with all the cypress trees and Spanish moss.
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Dinner at Stillwater Inn
You can enjoy a very elegant meal at the Stillwater Inn,
which is a restaurant and a B&B. The menu is extravagant, and you can enjoy an intimate meal by candlelight with
very personal service.
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Scarlett O'Hardy's
Gone with the Wind Museum
This classic old movie comes to life with memorabilia, life-sized costumes, and countless other things associated with the movie. You'll find everything from the historical to the commercial products that used the movie as a selling tool on display. Allow yourself plenty of time to look around when you visit!
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If you're a fan of the classic movie, you'll love this museum. It has hundreds of items on
display: costume reproductions, rare books and posters, autographs, memorabilia, and even
seats from Lowe's Grand Theatre in Atlanta, GA, where the movie was premiered. Be sure to stop there on your visit to Jefferson, and check them out online now.
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Jefferson Historical Society & Museum
The museum is housed in the old Federal Building, and contains four floors of artifacts from
Jefferson's past. There are paintings, rare antiques, a weaponry collection, Caddo Indian
relics, historic papers, and many more items. This is a fascinating place to visit during a trip to in Jefferson - to see more, click here.
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Jefferson Shopping
A slew of antique stores have replaced the variety of shops and businesses that once adorned
the streets of Jefferson in the late 1800s. You can spend a lot of our time exploring these
charming stores. Make sure you allow plenty of time to do your treasuring hunting
in these quaint little stores - you may be surprised at the booty you will find!
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Auntie Skinner's Riverboat Club
A visit to Jefferson isn't complete without stopping by Auntie Skinner's, named from the old song, "Auntie Skinner's Chicken Dinner". They describe their place as "the best East Texas Cuisine and live Rhythm & Blues!" They're not wrong.
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Finding a Friend in Jefferson
While walking down the street in front of Excelsior House, we ran across one of Jefferson's friendliest citizens: PupPup! We found his name by reading his tag, and sat down to enjoy his company for a while. He's apparently a town fixture, because as we were petting him someone walked by and casually remarked, "Hey, PupPup." After a while, something else caught his eye and he excused himself to investigate. When in town, watch for PupPup, and tell him that we said hello.
A sad update: PupPup, loved by everyone in town, passed away recently. We still miss him!
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Atalanta, Goddess of Speed
Jay Gould's private railroad car has been restored to its plush 1888 condition, and is available to tour in Jefferson. A true piece of history, it's ironic that the Atalanta ended up in Jefferson. After the town rejected a proposal for his railroad to come through, Jay Gould predicted the downfall of Jefferson and packed his bags for Dallas/Fort Worth. His extravagant railroad home rests in state across from the Excelsior House, and is worth a look.
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Sterne Fountain
We've heard several different stories about this fountain erected in 1913. It has six different drinking outlets, two at each of three different levels: one for humans, one for horses, and one for dogs. It's too bad that we didn't have our bassets Murphy and Samantha with us, because they could have enjoyed a cool drink as well. The statue is of Hebe, the Greek Goddess of Youth. That's fitting, because a visit to Jefferson certainly rejuvenates us!
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Hebe, the Goddess of Youth
Hebe is the goddess of youth, and the daughter of Zeus and Hera. She poured the nectar of the gods on the Olympus (from the urn depicted in this statue) until Ganymede replaced her. Hebe also prepared Ares' bath, and helped Hera to her chariot. After Heracles became a god, he married her. The Romans called her Juventas ("youth"). She was portrayed as a young woman, wearing a sleeveless dress. On various vases she is shown as cup bearer of the gods, or as bride of Heracles. Famous was the --now lost -- statue of Hebe, made of ivory and gold, by Naucydes (brother of Polycletus) in the 5th century B.C.
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Jefferson Gas Light Company
Text from Historical Marker: "Jefferson Gas Light Company, Chartered 1870 for public and domestic service, used retorts - 7 foot iron drums with small necks - to make illuminating gas (one retort stood on this site.) Loaded with pine knots and rich pine wood, a retort was heated. Its gas was forced into mains by use of a pressure drum. Street lights on hollow posts 300 feet apart were 10-candle glass globes, lighted by a man on a ladder, these and gaslights in houses gave Jefferson - then largest inland port and second largest city in Texas - the state's first gaslight system."
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Riverport Bar-b-Que
For some of the best barbecue that you're going to find outside of the smoker on our back porch, visit Riverport Bar-b-Que. You'll find sandwiches and platters of turkey, chicken, and beef, along with all the trimmings. Also check out their ribs, and if you stop by on a Friday night, you might also find some delicious fried catfish. Riverport is located on Polk street, just a block or two north of the court house.
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Jefferson by Carriage
One fabulous way to see Jefferson is to tour the city by carriage. You can reserve a ride right outside of the Jefferson Hotel, but the schedule fills up fast! Tom, your guide, is knowledgable about the city and a lot of fun. He even provids blankets on a chilly evening.
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Breakfast at the Bakery
Breakfast at the Barkery is a culinary delight - it's an old fashioned treat. Whether you're looking for the standard bacon & egg fare, or some wonderful pastries, you simply have to check this place out. Mitchel's favorite is the "pancake sandwich", but everything is delicious. Go early, though, since it fills up quickly - visitors and locals all find it to be the place to start the day.
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The Turning Basin
Back when steamships would come up the Big Cypress Bayou from New Orleans, this is the place that they would turn around to head back. Once a turn-around basin, it is now a popular fishing spot, and a starting point for tours along the river.
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Town Parks
There are several parks in town, giving Jefferson the perfect "home town" feel. It's extremely relaxing to be walking through the old historic buildings and suddenly find a relaxing, green park like this.
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Caddo Grocery
For another way to see this part of East Texas, head off to the Caddo Grocery in the small town of Uncertain, Texas. You might recognize the town's name from a Guy Clark song describing the community. At Caddo Grocery you can book a personal tour of Caddo Lake, one of the treasures of East Texas.
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Caddo Lake
Once you get out on the lake, you'll be struck by the haunting beauty of the cypress trees. This photo was taken during the winter season, so you can only imagine how beautiful how it is when the trees start to bud out.
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Enjoying the Tour
It was a little cool out on the lake during this particular tour, but we'd brought the appropriate clothes to enjoy the trip. It is part boat ride, part history lesson, and a huge slice of the beauty of nature.
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The Government Ditch
This is only one of the features of the lake tour, and is a man-made passage through the cypress groves. There is apparently a lot of speculation as to just why it was built, but is just one of the interesting stories that we heard about the lake. This tour might very well be one of the highlights of your Jefferson trip.
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The Annual Port of Jefferson Rod Run and Car Show
For all you car enthusiasts, the Rod Run and Car Show every Spring is worth attending. The cars are packed with power, and fully detailed. You can easily spend the day taking in all the cars and talking to their owners. Click here to see some photos.
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The Jefferson Jimplecute is the newspaper that serves the city, and you can pick up this week's copy at the Jimplecute office, at the General Store, or several other places around town. But what is a "Jimplecute"? Well, under the masthead of the paper is the legend: "Join Industry, Manufacturing, Planting, Labor, Energy (and) Capital (in) Unity Together Everlasting." I've heard that this wasn't the orgin of the name, but who knows... it's a must-read during your trip to Jefferson! Click here to visit their website!
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4th of July in Jefferson!
For the most patriotic, enjoyable, family-fun fourth of July, spend the holiday in Jefferson! There are contests and games for the kids, a cake auction where the bidding gets fast and furious, an orchestra in the gazebo playing American themes, and a fireworks display that will take your breath away. Oh, and of course, there are hot dogs, snow cones, soda pops and many other goodies to make your mouth water. You've never seen a July 4th celebration and a slice of Americana like this!
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Caddo Lake Steamboat Company
With a quick drive out to Uncertain, Texas on Caddo Lake, you can board a genuine steamboat for an hour-and-a-half narrated tour of Texas' only natural lake. The cypress trees and Spanish moss provides a hauntingly beautiful backdrop for the trip.
You can find out more about the Caddo Lake Steamboat Company at their website. To see photos of our cruise on Caddo, click here.
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Jefferson Ghost Walk
No trip to Jefferson, "the most haunted city in Texas", is complete without taking the Jefferson Ghost Walk. It meets in front of the Jefferson Historical Society & Museum at 7:00 in the winter, and 8:00 in the summer. Stop by the Chamber of Commerce for detailed information, call 903.665.6289, or email jodibreck@aol.com. You'll spend an hour and a half walking the streets of historic old Jefferson, lamp in hand, hearing about the spirits that haunt this famous town. This is a "must see" while in Jefferson!
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A Taste of Jefferson
Grab your plate, loosen your belt a notch or two, and get ready for a festival of food like you've never seen before! The third Sunday in October is a date that you'll want to mark on your calendar - click here to see photos from the Taste of Jefferson.
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The Old Store & Fudge Shop
While you're exploring the historic downtown area, you may notice an incredibly sweet aroma floating through the air on Walnut Street. The source is a great place named The Old Store & Fudge Shop. For a closer look inside, click here.
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The Boo Run
The Boo Run Benefit is a fund-raiser for child burn victims that attracts 30,000 motorcycle enthusiasts to Jefferson. It's impressive to see all the various bikes - from the brutes to the beautiful. Click here to see some photos from the event.
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A wonderfully relaxing place!
No kidding, Jefferson is the perfect place to get away and relax. There are parks with gazebos, a peaceful atmosphere, and the friendliest people that you'll ever find!
If you'd like more information on the city of
Jefferson, TX, you can contact the chamber
of commerce at 903.665.2672
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