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Lake O' The Pines COC
www.LakeOThePines.com

 
 

 

 

 

 
  
 

 

Big Cypress Corvette Classic
Call the Chamber at 903-665-2672
 



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The City of 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.

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. 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.
 

  

    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 www.caddolakecollections.com and enjoy the history along with some beautiful photos.

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Lake O' the Pines

   Lake O' 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 O' the Pines  Web-site, please go to  www.lakeothepines.com and enjoy the history, fishing report, property for sale and rent, and scenes of the lake.

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    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.  For information regarding Jefferson's 26th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes please visit the website historicjeffersonfoundation.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
101 N Polk St,.  Jefferson, TX  75657
juanitawc@sbcglobal
.net

  

 

 
WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT
MAY 17-20, 2012
       
THE BAKERY RESTAURANT PRESENTS: “THE ART EVENT”
     Saturday, May 19 @ 5:30 p.m.
     Location: The Bakery Restaurant, 201 W. Austin
     Pre-registration suggested (903) 665-2253
    * Includes: Art instruction & supplies and Chicken & Sausage Gumbo
 
MUSIC CITY TEXAS PRESENTS: “GUY CLARK”
     Saturday, May 19 @ 8:00 p.m.
     Location: Music City Texas, 108 Legion St., Linden, TX
     Tickets & information: (903) 756-9934
 
JEFFERSON TRAIN DAYS
    Saturday, May 19 & Sunday, May 20
    Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – R.D. Moses T & P Model Train Grand Opening
    Location: Jefferson Historical Museum, 223 W. Austin
   Tours: Saturday, May 19 @ 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. & Sunday, May 20 @ 11:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
   Jay Gould Car, 211 W. Austin
 Tours: Saturday, May 19 @ 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. & Sunday, May 20 @ 11:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
   Historic Jefferson Railway, 400 E. Austin, Saturday @ 11:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.,
   6:30 p.m. (Day Excursions) 9:30 p.m. (Ghost Train) and Sunday @ 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.
    Jefferson Transportation Center, 305 E. Austin (Model Train displays)
   Tours: Saturday, May 19 @ 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. & Sunday, May 20 @ 11:00 a.m.- 5:00p.m.
  $15 Boarding Pass allows admission to these four attractions
           
AUNTIE SKINNER’S RIVERBOAT CLUB & RESTAURANT
    Thursday, May 17:  “DeWayne Bettis” (Country)  @ 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
    Friday,  May 18: Karaoke @ 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
    Saturday, May 19:  “Casey Martin Band” (Classic Rock) @ 9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
   (903) 665-7121
 
 KARAOKE
     Saturday,  May 19 @ 8:00 p.m.-12:00 midnight
      Location: The Sandwich Shop, 123 W. Austin
     (903) 601-2211
 
LONE STAR CARRIAGE COMPANY OF JEFFERSON
    Historical tours of Jefferson by horse & carriage and Mule Drawn Wagon
  Specializing in weddings
    Friday-Sunday, May 18-20
   Groups and special events available by appointment
  Departs from corner of Austin & Market (across from the Jefferson Historical Museum)
   (903) 926-8216
    www.jeffersontexascarriage.com      
   Call for reservations
             
HISTORIC JEFFERSON GHOSTWALK
         Friday-Saturday, May 18-19 @ 8:00 p.m.
         Location: Corner of Austin & Vale St.
         Information & additional tours: (903) 926-4116
         www.jeffersonghostwalk.com
               
CULBERSON HOUSE HISTORIC HOME TOUR
        403 N. Walnut
        (903) 665-7888
        By appointment. Call for tour dates & time
 
HOUSE OF THE SEASONS HISTORIC HOME TOUR
       409 S. Alley
       Daily @ 11:00 a.m.
       (903) 665-8000
       Reservations required
      
SINGLETON’S VIRGINIA CROSS HISTORIC HOME TOUR
      401 Soda St.
      Saturday, May 19 @ 1:00 p.m.
      (903) 665-3938 or (214) 725-6232
      Call for reservations & additional tour dates and times
              
THE GROVE HAUNTED HISTORIC HOME TOUR
     405 Moseley
  Saturday, May 19 @ 2:00 p.m.
  Sunday, May 20 @ 11:00 a.m.
     (903) 665-8018
     Call to confirm tour dates and times
 
EXCELSIOR HOUSE HOTEL & JAY GOULD RAILCAR TOUR
     211 W. Austin
     Tours: Monday-Friday @ 2:00 p.m.
     Saturday & Sunday @ 1:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m.
     (903) 665-2513
     Call to confirm tour times

JEFFERSON HISTORICAL MUSEUM
     223 W. Austin
     Daily @ 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
     (903) 665-2775
    
TURNING BASIN RIVERBOAT TOURS
     200 Bayou St.
     Tuesday-Saturday @ 12:00 noon & 2:00 p.m.
     Additional tours on Saturday by request
     CLOSED: Sunday & Monday
     (903) 665-2222
 
HISTORIC JEFFERSON RAILWAY
     Saturday, May 19 @ 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. (Day Excursions) & 9:30            
     p.m. (Ghost Train)
     Sunday, May 20 @ 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.
    Tickets & information: (866) 398-2038 or (903) 665-6400
                       
BILLY CARTER’S GO-DEVIL TOURS ON CADDO LAKE
    Location: Johnson’s Ranch in Uncertain, TX
    (903) 789-3213
    Call for reservations
    
CADDO OUTBACK BACKWATER TOURS
     Personalized Tours of Caddo Lake
     1869 Pine Island Rd
     Karnack, TX 75661
     (903) 789-3384
    Call for reservations
   
THE GRACEFUL GHOST PADDLEWHEEL STEAMBOAT ON CADDO LAKE
     Graceful Ghost Paddlewheel Steamboat, Tuesday-Saturday
     Pontoon Boat Tours - Daily by reservation
     Location: Shady Glade Marina, 510 Cypress Drive, Uncertain, TX
     (903) 789-2238
     Call for reservations & additional tours
     
CAPTAIN RON’S GATOR PARK, PETTING ZOO & GARDEN
     FM Rd #2198
     Uncertain, TX
     Monday-Sunday @ 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
     (903) 789-2100
              
JEFFERSON CARNEGIE LIBRARY
     301 W. Lafayette
     Monday-Thursday @ 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
     Friday @ 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
     Saturday,  @ 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
     Closed: Sundays
    (903) 665-8911
     Free internet access

 
Marion County Chamber of Commerce
    101 N. Polk
    Jefferson , TX   75657
    (903) 665-2672   
Additional visitor information & tours: www.jefferson-texas.com