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

Murphy Building

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014

1. Murphy Building Marker

Inscription. Brothers John C. Murphy (1816-71) and James M. Murphy (b. 1820) of Tennessee came to Jefferson, Texas, in 1850. They owned a wholesale cotton firm and were prominent businessmen. In the early 1850s they built this structure as a warehouse in the riverfront district. In 1884 the building was remodeled for county offices and courts. In 1915 it became the city hall, with space for the Chesterfield Dance Club and the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department. A Diebold safe, installed in 1877, continues to serve the building, again used for county offices.

Erected 1983 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 8074.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 32° 45.377′ N, 94° 20.683′ W. Marker is in Jefferson, Texas, in Marion County. It is on West Austin Street 0.1 miles east of South Vale Street, on the right when traveling east. Mounted on right side of front entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 114 West Austin Street, Jefferson TX 75657, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Marion County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker);

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Vernon Dalhart (within shouting distance of this marker); Kahn Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); Texas Statesman Charles Allen Culberson (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Livery Stable (within shouting distance of this marker); Marion County Confederate Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Marion County (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 Murphy Building. The building currently houses the Marion County Sheriff's Office

Murphy Building Marker (<i>view showing building entrance next to marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014

2. Murphy Building Marker (view showing building entrance next to marker)

Murphy Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014

3. Murphy Building

Thomas Jefferson Memorial adjacent to Murphy Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014

4. Thomas Jefferson Memorial adjacent to Murphy Building

Thomas Jefferson
Third President of the United States of America
Born: April 2, 1743 – Died: July 4, 1826
Author of the Declaration of American Independence
Author of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom
and Father of the University of Virginia
Namesake of Jefferson, Texas

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 549 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on November 30, 2025, by Joe Lotz of Flower Mound, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 3, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.