Jefferson in Marion County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Excelsior House

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014

1. Excelsior House Marker

Inscription. Oldest hotel in East Texas. Frame part built in 1850’s; 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 Allen Wise Garden Club.

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966

Erected 1966 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 8031.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant, the Former U.S. Presidents: #19 Rutherford B. Hayes, and the National Register of Historic Places series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 32° 45.355′ N, 94° 20.731′ W. Marker is in Jefferson, Texas, in Marion County. Marker is at the intersection of West Austin Street and North Vale Street, on the right when traveling west on West Austin Street. Mounted at on right side of Excelsior House Hotel main entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 West Austin Street, Jefferson TX 75657, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jay Gould Railroad Car (a few steps from this marker); Captain William Perry (a few steps from this marker); Jefferson C.S.A.

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(a few steps from this marker); Old Livery Stable (within shouting distance of this marker); Kahn Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); Vernon Dalhart (within shouting distance of this marker); Brown-Bender House (within shouting distance of this marker); Brown Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jefferson.

Regarding Excelsior House. National Register of Historic Places (1971)

Also see . . .
1. Step back in history... Excerpt:

Famous people registered at the Excelsior House include Ulysses S. Grant, Oscar Wilde, Rutherford B. Hayes and Lady Bird Johnson to name a few. Southern charm graces this historic hotel with rich rosewood, cherry, and mahogany furnishings, constructed of brick and timber, with lacy iron work gallery.

(Submitted on December 5, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. History & Haunting of The Excelsior House Hotel. Excerpt:

Diamond Bessie was murdered at
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014

2. Excelsior House Marker (wide view)
Jefferson in 1877, supposedly by Abe Rothschild, although he was acquitted after two controversial trials. Diamond Bessie married Abe Rothschild, whose family was the Rothschild Banking dynasty in Europe. A very popular stage entertainer, she was spoiled by her husband with diamonds and jewelry, which he eventually gambled away except for her two diamond rings. When he needed them to gamble with and demanded she give them up, she refused. The story goes that he then took her out in the woods and killed her. When he was next seen in town, he had her diamond rings. The murder caused a sensation, and made national and international newspapers. After 4 years of trials and appeals, Abe Rothschild was convicted and sentenced to hang, but based on an error in proceedings, the Appellate court reversed the verdict. He was tried again and found not guilty on December 30, 1880.

(Submitted on December 5, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Excelsior House (<i>front view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014

3. Excelsior House (front view)

Excelsior House (<i>Office view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014

4. Excelsior House (Office view)

Excelsior House (<i>corner view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014

5. Excelsior House (corner view)

Excelsior House (<i>Iron Retorts to provide gas for street lights</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014

6. Excelsior House (Iron Retorts to provide gas for street lights)

Excelsior House postcard image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kayla Harper, November 20, 2023

7. Excelsior House postcard

Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 364 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 3, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 5, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 7. submitted on November 21, 2023, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.