Jefferson is located in Marion County in northeast section of Texas. It is the most delightful little historic town of with a population of just over 2,100. Most of the 10,000 Marion County residents live in rural areas which is made up of agriculture with livestock and forestry. Fishing, camping, and tourism in the Lake O' the Pines and Caddo Lake areas. Caddo Lake is Texas' only natural lake.
In 1845 Jefferson was established as being a bustling river port upstream from New Orleans. It was visited by steamboats loaded with people migrating westward into Texas. The steamboats travelled up the Red River, crossed westward beyond Caddo Lake into Big Cypress Bayou, and docked at the furthest reach upstream where covered wagons were built and readied for travel. The return journey was loaded with bales of ginned cotton and carried back downstream to New Orleans. After the Civil War, Jefferson's population boomed to 35,000 due to heavy commerce. Southern mansions and plantations around the area were common. At one point Jefferson, Texas, had a population of 66,000 when Dallas was still an Indian trading post. However, after the boom prosperity ended when an important log jam that kept water levels backed high was demolished on the Red River in 1873. The river channel which ran across Caddo Lake and up to Jefferson became too shallow and unreliable for the steamboats to travel. With its vital travel, shipping, and trade route ruined, Jefferson was in an economic stranglehold. The population drastically fell to less than 3,000 and the community was left with the remnants of many old mansions and homes which typified the Civil War era.
I visited Jefferson briefly one afternoon last year enroute to Marshall and was given enough temptation to want to go back and see more. Even after another trip, there is still more in the area to see. A nice idea would be a weekend at one of the lovely historic B&B's and just wander around the delightful shops and do as we did, and take a cruise out on Caddo River/Bayou and Lake at nearby Uncertain.
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Reviews (23)
Museum Mural
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(14)
The side wall of the Museum - During its heyday in the 1860's and 1870's, Jefferson was the gateway to Texas from the... more travel advice
The Texas History Museum
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(14)
The Texas History Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Texas' rich heritage. It is located in... more travel advice
Jefferson Historical Society
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(14)
This was a former Federal building and was completed in 1888. It housed the Federal Court and Post Office until it was... more travel advice
Jefferson General Store
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This is just one of the great little stores in Jefferson. We first visited last year when we briefly stopped in... more travel advice
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Museum VisitsLatest Jefferson hotel reviews
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Comments (5)
Caddo Lake State Park seems as if it is in anotherworld, I am ever fascinated when I see such places and know it is all on our Planet, really lovely place and nature!
I hope to visit Jefferson again someday. thanks for the nice pics and tips. that hamburger store looks like a good place for grub.
I am always amazed by the beauty of the Grand old Mansions.. Yummo.. give me the pancakes and maple syrup.. ;-)) Diamong Bassie sure has a colorful history.. ;-)
Some beautiful old houses along the streets and I guess, walking is the best in here! Thanks for sharing..
What a charming town! Gould's Palace is so cool. By the way, The Bakery in the stable doesn't serve horsechips, do it?
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