If you’re looking for some fun things to do in Jefferson, Texas, you’ve come to the right place. The city of Jefferson is located in northeastern Texas. The city is home to about 1,875 people and is the county seat of Marion County. In addition to the museums and historical sites, you can also enjoy great dining experiences and take a train ride.
Historical landmarks
Jefferson, Texas, is a small city located in northeastern Texas. The population is approximately 1,875 and it serves as the county seat for Marion County. The city has a number of historic sites that are worth visiting. Its historic downtown is filled with antique shops, restaurants, and pubs.
The Jefferson Historical Museum has four floors of exhibits ranging from old tools to beautiful art. The museum is easily accessible by elevator. Visitors can also get a boat ride on Jefferson Turning Basin, a reservoir on Big Cypress Bayou. Tour guides are knowledgeable about the history of Jefferson and the town. They can walk you through the historic downtown area and provide insight into the city’s past.
The Manse is the finest example of Greek Revival architecture in the town. It is double-faced, with a portico tetrastyle front façade. It has a hipped roof, a deep entablature, and fluted Doric columns.
The historic Excelsior House is another landmark in Jefferson. The 1850s building was built by Captain William Perry, a local merchant who played a large role in the development of Jefferson as an inland port. Today, the Excelsior House is the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi River. The house has been restored to its original splendor and is open to the public for tours.
Another historic building in Jefferson, Texas is the Brown-Bender House. Located on the riverfront, this house was built by John C. Brown in the 1880s. It was later remodeled by John Griffin Bender in 1928. The house features stained glass windows, original hardware, and intricate gingerbread trim. The building was once a warehouse for goods from Texas. It was later used as city hall and county offices. The Diebold safe in the building still serves as a safe.
Museums
Museums in Jefferson, Texas can be an excellent way to learn about the history of the town. Visitors can tour many historical sites and participate in interesting tours of the area. The Jefferson Steamboat Museum is a wonderful example of this. Visitors can learn about the town’s history and see many rare and interesting artifacts. The Jefferson Steamboat Museum also showcases the private collection of collector Bobbie Hardy. This collection features items like Clark Gable’s autograph. A rare signed first edition is also on display at the museum.
Visitors can also explore the historic house, known as the Grove, in Jefferson. It was built in 1861 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A tour guide will tell you the story of the home and tell you about its lore. You can also purchase books about haunted houses from the emporium at the Grove.
The Jefferson Historical Museum is a must-see. Located in an 1888 Federal building, this museum is an excellent way to learn about the history of this small town. It is filled with artifacts from the Civil War, as well as rare pieces of china. You’ll also find antique weapons and Caddo Indian relics on display.
The Gone With the Wind Museum is another interesting place to visit in Jefferson. The museum features the largest private collection of Gone With the Wind memorabilia. You’ll also see reproduction costumes and artifacts from the film. The museum also has a section dedicated to Scarlett O’Hardy, the actress who played the title role.
Jay Gould was a wealthy man in the late 1800s. He was known for his unethical business practices and terrible treatment of workers. Gould wanted to build a railroad in Jefferson, Texas. However, he claimed that running the railroad through it would destroy the town. The museum is still open today, but has modern amenities. It also offers tours of the Atalanta train car, which was owned by railroad mogul Jay Gould. The tour lasts about half an hour.
Dining options
There are a number of dining options in Jefferson, Texas. The city is home to several well-known eateries. For example, the Stillwater Inn has been serving up ambitious fare since 1984. Its menu offers dishes like Colorado lamb rack, Alaska halibut, salmon, Dover sole, and center-cut steaks and filets.
Located in a historic bank from 1852, the 1852 on Austin Street restaurant is an excellent place to enjoy a meal. It features a full bar and a special Sunday brunch. You can try the Sunrise Chicken Fried Steak, which comes with two eggs cooked your way and a jalapeno white gravy.
Train rides
If you love trains and want to ride on one, Jefferson, Texas is a great place to go. Jefferson is home to the Historic Jefferson Railway, a three-foot narrow gauge railroad that runs along the Big Cypress Bayou for about three miles. It’s laid out in a dog-bone pattern, with loops on each end, and one main track.
The historic Jefferson Railway operates a small gasoline-powered locomotive named Critter. The locomotive was built by Plymouth Locomotive Works in the early 1900s. You can enjoy a ride on this train while you learn about the history of Jefferson, Texas, and the region around it. It also stops at a famous gator pit where you can feed the live alligators.
The railroad is open to the public and is great for families with young children. There are several different trains to choose from. The Historic Jefferson Railway offers day trains and a narrated ride through Big Cypress Bayou. There are also several special events that take place at the train station, such as an adult-only Jazz Wine Train and a holiday train ride.
The Ghost Train is another great attraction in Jefferson. The ghost train is a family-friendly ride that departs from the historic Jefferson railway depot and travels through dark pine forests. It features a narrator to share ghost stories with passengers. This is a popular event and the only one of its kind in the United States. You can even get a spooky ride on a steam-powered locomotive.
Train rides in Jefferson, Texas are a great way to see this historic town. The town is home to the historic Jefferson Railway, a three-foot narrow gauge railroad that follows the Big Cypress Bayou for three miles. This railroad is laid out in a dog-bone pattern, with loops on each end and one main track. There is a museum in the town that features Civil War artifacts.
Ghost Walk tour
You can experience haunted history and spectral activity firsthand by joining a Ghost Walk tour in Jefferson, Texas. With the help of a lantern, the tour guides will show you the town’s most haunted locations and tell you stories of historic murder, tragedy, and ghostly encounters. The tour has been featured on the SciFi Channel, Discover, and Travel.
This tour is available every Friday and Saturday night and will have you exploring the town’s ghostly past. There are even stories of deliverymen seeing spectral cowboys. You’ll also have the opportunity to take part in a spooky event by attending the annual History, Haunts & Legends Paranormal Conference. The conference features lectures on paranormal topics and features a vendor area. The event culminates with a nighttime investigation at several haunted locations in the area.
If you’re interested in experiencing the ghostly past of Jefferson, Texas, then join a Ghost Walk tour led by Jodi Breckenridge. She’s been conducting the tour for 23 years and shares the history of Jefferson and its haunted places. She also shares tales of the town’s ghostly residents, including Jay Gould and Diamond Bessie. Though she was initially skeptical of paranormal activity, her personal experiences have led her to believe in them.
This tour will also give you a chance to smell spooky fragrances and feel as if a ghost is holding your hand. In some cases, you might even catch a glimpse of a Native American in full garb on the tour. While some ghosts are real, others are merely imagined.