Historical Markers in Jefferson, Texas

Early Site of Bell Factory · 1936

From a log blacksmith shop in 1854 grew a bell foundry owned by G. A. Kelly which manufactured cowbells widely used by pioneer ox-team freighters. Later the Kelly plow, one of the first modern plows made in Texas, was…

Marion County · 1936

--

Site of First Ice Factory in Texas · 1936

Blackburn Syrup Works

Excelsior House · 1962

Oldest hotel in East Texas. Frame part built in 1850s; brick wing added 1864. Among famous guests during river port days of Jefferson were Presidents Grant and Hayes, and poet Oscar Wilde. Restored 1961-63 by Jessie…

The House of the Seasons · 1962

Built in 1872 for Benjamin H. Epperson, the House of the Seasons derives its name from the cupola with its stained glass windows that create an illusion of the seasons of the year. The home is a fine example of the…

Jefferson C. S. A. · 1963

(Star and Wreath) Metropolis of commerce and culture for East Texas, Jefferson became important center for Confederate activity. Major quartermaster depot for northern Texas established 1862 supplied clothing and camp…

Richard Waterhouse · 1963

(Star and Wreath) (January 12, 1833 - March 20, 1876) Native of Tennessee, participant in United States war with Mexico, Texas businessman, colonel of the 19th Texas Confederate Infantry, commended for gallantry at…

Christ Episcopal Church · 1964

1868. Parish instituted 1860. Rev. E. G. Benners first resident clergyman (1869-1894). Gothic architecture, lancet windows, scroll beams. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1964

Confederate Civil War Meat Packing Plant · 1964

About 2 miles to the southwest, the meat plant of J. B. Dunn dressed,packed and shipped beef, pork and mutton to the Confederate army. In 1861 began by packing 150 beeves a day. Well located, on the Cypress Bayou…

Guarding Oak · 1964

--

Hodge-Taylor House · 1964

Berry and Lavenia (Boggs) Hodge moved here from Kentucky and had this house built along the Daingerfield Road in 1852. Among their five children, son Robert Blount, of the 3rd Texas Cavalry, C.S.A., died from wounds in…

Jay Gould Railroad Car · 1964

Built in 1888 by the American Car & Foundry Company of St. Charles, Missouri, this was the private railway car of Jay Gould (1836-1892). A native of New York, Gould was a noted financier and the owner of numerous…

Jefferson · 1964

Founded 1836. Named for President Thomas Jefferson. Chief river port of Texas, 1846-1870. This prosperous ante-bellum city became a Confederate Quartermaster Depot; produced boots, shoes, iron goods, preserved meats for…

Jefferson Turn Basin · 1964

Wide, deep lagoon in Cypress Bayou, used for turning around ships in Gulf-Red River trade. First steamer to reach here was the "Lama" in 1844, by way of Red River, which for 200 miles above Shreveport was clogged by a…

"The Magnolias" · 1965

1867. Built by Lucy Ann, wife of Dan Alley, donor of half of Jefferson's townsite. Near 100th birthday, house retains fine style. Has handmade columns, massive hewn sills, wide pine board floors. Here was organized 1881…

Falling Leaves, 1855 · 1965

To original 4 rooms and hall, long ell was added in 1866. Home of Eloise Amoss 62 years. B. Koontz home since 1961. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965

First Methodist Church · 1965

Founded on this site, 1844. Rev. Jas. Baldridge, first pastor. Log church was replaced 1860 by most imposing brick one west of Mississippi River. Its bell, minted of 1500 Mexican silver dollars, now is in this building…

Freeman Plantation · 1965

--

Jefferson Playhouse · 1965

Built about 1860 by Robert W. Nesmith, a contractor of stage lines. After several changes in ownership, house was purchased 1869 for Sisters of Charity and used as their convent, hospital and school (called St. Mary's).…

Knightwood · 1965

Built 1852 by Col. Henry A. Mimms as a daughter's wedding gift. Noted for hospitality. Meeting place for Men's Harmony Club and Ladies' Cooking Class that held weekly dancing parties. Has original honey pine floors,…

Nash Iron Works · 1965

First iron furnace in Texas. Built by Jefferson S. Nash, who came here in 1846. He found much iron ore, wood for charcoal, and clay to make molds. From ridge back of the furnace, charcoal and ore were poured down the…

Old Federal Building · 1965

1869. First Federal Court and Custom House. Also housed county court and its records. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965

Old Rosebud Saloon · 1965

1854. Rendezvous of judges, lawyers and men with notched guns. Partly burned 1902. Restored 1946. V 1965

Perry Woods Home · 1965

French town house of 19th century Jefferson-New Orleans trade era. Original plan is intact. Now Perry Woods home. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965

Planters Bank · 1965

1852. In Jefferson's heyday, riverfront warehouse of firm with St. Louis, New Orleans branches. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965

Schluter Home · 1965

Colonial home built 1856 by F. A. Schluter, one of first 6 settlers in Jefferson. Has spacious halls, wide galleries. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965

Site of Home of Captain George T. Todd · 1965

(1839-1913) Born in Virginia. Came to Texas 1843. During Civil War, served in famous Hood's Texas Brigade. At Chickamauga, took command after Gen. Hood was shot. In 1864-1865, fought west of the Mississippi with Lane's…

The Homestead · 1965

Built in 1851 by slave labor, square nails, broadax-hewn boards. Center society life of city.

"Gay 90's House" · 1966

Drawing room held many social affairs when city was a leading port in Texas. Now J. M. Benefield Home. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

19th Century Business House · 1966

Fine structure with fanlight transoms. Housed Kahan Saloon in city's river port era. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

Beard House · 1966

Built 1860 with kitchen detached, in custom of Old South. Represents cottage type. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

Blue Bonnet Farm · 1966

Raised cottage; begun in 1847. Main wing, built 1869, is of heart pine cut on the home place. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

Brown Building · 1966

Old home of Jefferson "Jimplecute" and other newspapers, and the Chesterfield Social Club. Now Brown Building. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

Capt. William E. Singleton House · 1966

Built in 1860's. Its cruciform plan evolved in 17th century Virginia. Has been in Singleton family since 1885. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

Capt. Wm. Perry House · 1966

Built in 1850s by Capt. Wm. Perry, officer on one of riverboats when city was largest inland port in Texas. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

Dan N. Alley Home · 1966

Built by Dan N. Alley, a founder of Jefferson. Was wedding gift to a son. Now home of Mary Carlson, a descendant. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

Doyle Bower House · 1966

Typical of early Texas. Constructed with square nails and pegs. Built in 1858 by Haye Zolley. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

First Texas Artificial Gas Plant · 1966

(5 blocks east) 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…

Haggard, George E., Bldg. (RE 80) · 1966

Haggard, George E., Funeral Home · 1966

J. H. Rowell Home · 1966

Built about 1858. Since 1879, home of J. H. Rowell family. Rowell served Jefferson several terms as mayor and alderman. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

Jefferson Public Library · 1966

Built 1907 by local funds plus a gift from Andrew Carnegie Foundation-- one of 34 such grants made in Texas (where the movement for public libraries had begun in 1881). A center of interest in a culture-loving town.…

Manse, The · 1966

McCasland, Joe, Home · 1966

Old Federal Court and Post Office Building · 1966

Used 1890-1964 by Court of Eastern District of Texas. Now a museum. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

Old Home of Geo. Keese · 1966

early citizen. Erected about 1858 by Dan M. Alley, who laid off the city's Alley addition. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

Plantation House · 1966

1854 "Plantation" house shows European styling in brick ground floor, frame upper stories, double iron stairways. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

Presbyterian Church · 1966

Built 1872 for congregation organized earlier. Once the largest Cumberland Church building in Texas. Has a specially cast bell. Painted clock faces on the steeple show the hours for Sunday School and morning and evening…

Preston Home · 1966

Built mid-19th century by J. C. Preston, pioneer druggist. Home of Judge Seborn Moseley and his descendants. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark -1966

Rogers Home · 1966

Built 1839. Oldest house in Jefferson. Once home of Gen. J. H. Rogers, Civil War leader. Presbyterian manse since 1903. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

Rogers Home · 1966

Built in 1850s. Home of Capt. T. J. Rogers, founder and president, private bank. Restored by Judge and Mrs. Joe McCasland. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

Rowell Family Home · 1966

Early clapboard cottage with ornate trim. Once a tavern; since 1856 in Dr. R. E. Rowell family; known as DeWare home. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

Rowell Home · 1966

Built about 1862 by civic leader, Q. Bateman. Bought by A. H. Rowell 1884. Still has gaslight fixtures, other relics. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

S. D. Rainey Home · 1966

Built 1880 by cotton factor S. D. Rainey. Style: midwestern rococo. Since 1886 a center of social life, as R. S. Terry Home. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

Sagamore · 1966

1852 frontier cottage. Henry Scott, one owner, was partner in first commercial ice plant in Texas, 1868. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

Sedberry, Mrs. Ruth, Home · 1966

Terry, R.S., Home · 1966

W. S. Terry Home · 1966

Once the residence of B. J. Terry, Grand Master of Masonic Lodge of Texas. Built before 1850. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

John M. Vines · 1967

(1844-1914) Born in Alabama. Joined W. P. Lane Rangers, C. S. A., 1861; was discharged 1865, rank of farrier. Served as sheriff-tax collector for Marion County, 1874-1876. In April, 1877, sent as agent of the state of…

Texas Statesman Charles Allen Culberson · 1967

One of Texas' most forceful leaders; 32 years in office as attorney general, governor, U. S. Senator. Born in Alabama; in childhood moved with parents to Texas. Lived in Jefferson 1861-1887. Was educated Virginia…