Historical Markers and War Memorials in Jefferson, Texas
Linden is the county seat for Cass County
Jefferson is in Cass County
Cass County(12) ► ADJACENT TO CASS COUNTY Bowie County(23) ► Marion County(51) ► Morris County(18) ► Miller County, Arkansas(5) ► Caddo Parish, Louisiana(166) ►
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On U.S. 59, 0.2 miles south of County Highway 1641-A, on the right when traveling north.
Alabama physician. Came to Texas, 1847. Served Cass County in Texas House and Senate for 24 years. Was called the Ablest Parliamentarian of his time.
Served as one of the Speakers of Texas House of Representatives in critical Civil War years, . . . — — Map (db m160772) HM
On North Vale Street north of West Austin Street, on the right when traveling north.
Old home of Jefferson "Jimplecute" and other newspapers, and the Chesterfield Social Club. Now Brown Building.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark — — Map (db m119833) HM
This ornate, two-story, stick Victorian residence was built in 1888 by lumberman George Washington Brown (1854-1932), who later became involved in the oil and gas business. In 1928 Harrison County farmer John Griffin Bender (1871-1938), later . . . — — Map (db m96042) HM
On West Austin Street, 0.1 miles west of North Market Street, on the right when traveling west.
William Perry was among the first settlers of Jefferson, arriving ca. 1840. Through his shipping business and his work in dredging a turning basin for ships in the Big Cypress Bayou, he played a significant role in the early growth and development . . . — — Map (db m110961) HM
On St John Street (Texas Route 49) at Walnut Street, on the left when traveling south on St John Street.
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 shipping route, with cattle in . . . — — Map (db m120472) HM
On West Dallas Street, 0.1 miles east of South Market Street, on the right when traveling east.
Built in the late 1850s, this building first housed the Jefferson Masonic Lodge.
A number of businesses were located here during the Civil War, and later it was used by the Knights and Ladies of Honor of Myrtle and the Knights of Honor of . . . — — Map (db m218605) HM
On West Austin Street at North Vale Street, on the right when traveling west on West Austin Street.
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. . . . — — Map (db m110989) HM
On East Jefferson Street at South Friou Street, on the right when traveling east on East Jefferson Street.
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 — — Map (db m218591) HM
On North Polk Street at West Bonham Street, on the right when traveling south on North Polk Street.
Organized in 1855 as the Missionary Baptist Church, this congregation chose the Rev. George B. Tucker as its first pastor. Worship services were originally held in the Union House at city park, Freeman Hall, Judge Patillo's schoolhouse, and the . . . — — Map (db m218598) HM
On Highway 49 east of County Highway 881, on the right when traveling west.
Site of the First Ice Factory In TexasEstablished by Boyle and Scott about 1875. Sold ice at ten cents per pound, B.J. Benefield delivered it. The plant was later moved to Harrisburg. — — Map (db m127849) HM
On West Lafayette Street at North Market Street, on the right when traveling west on West Lafayette Street.
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 pine knots and rich pine wood, a retort was . . . — — Map (db m202020) HM
On North Vale Street at West Lafayette Street, on the right when traveling south on North Vale Street.
This parish began in 1863 when Father Jean Marie Giraud held mass for Catholic residents of Jefferson. Immaculate Conception grew as a church and by 1867, members completed the first building. In 1869, the church opened a school and the next year . . . — — Map (db m119834) HM
On West Austin Street, 0.1 miles west of South Vale Street, on the right when traveling east.
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 railroad companies, including the . . . — — Map (db m110969) HM
On U.S. 59 at Farm to Market Road 2208, on the right when traveling north on U.S. 59.
Home to the Caddo Indians for centuries, this area of Texas attracted Anglo-American colonists to settle here in the early 1800s. Founded in 1839, Jefferson developed along a double-grid pattern. Daniel Nelson Alley platted the townsite in a true . . . — — Map (db m110954) HM
On State Highway 49 at County Highway 3200, on the right when traveling south on State Highway 49.
Founded 1843. 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 Army. Nearby oil field . . . — — Map (db m160766) HM
On West Austin Street at South Vale Street, on the right when traveling east on West Austin Street.
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 equipment. Cotton Bureau Station set up to buy . . . — — Map (db m110991) HM
On West Lafayette Street at North Market Street, on the right when traveling west on West Lafayette Street.
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. . . . — — Map (db m123271) HM
On East Dallas Street at South Polk Street (County Route 134), on the right when traveling east on East Dallas Street.
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 "raft" of debris that had . . . — — Map (db m119554) HM
Near East Douglas Street at North Line Street, on the right when traveling east.
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 to bring Abe Rothschild back . . . — — Map (db m95672) HM
On Austin Street near North Vale Street, on the right when traveling west.
Built during the early 1860s, this structure served as a boarding house and as a mercantile before opening as the Kahn Saloon about 1900. Temperance movement leader Carrie Nation was denied entrance here during one of her campaigns through Texas. . . . — — Map (db m119820) HM
On South Polk Street (County Highway 134) at West Dallas Street, on the right when traveling south on South Polk Street.
Established in 1845. Named
in honor of Thomas Jefferson
(1743–1826)
Author of the Declaration
of Independence of the
United States
Early navigation headquarters on Cypress Bayou. County seat of Marion County since 1860. . . . — — Map (db m110996) HM
On West Austin Street, 0.1 miles west of South Polk Street (County Highway 134), on the right when traveling east.
The Texas Legislature created Marion County in 1860. Jefferson, established as early as 1841, was chosen as county seat. By 1860, Jefferson was a regional economic center for steamboat traffic on Big Cypress Bayou, navigable due to a logjam on the . . . — — Map (db m110949) HM
On Farm to Market Road 2208, 0.5 miles east of U.S. 59, on the left when traveling east.
This roadside park was constructed by the National Youth Administration (NYA) with the support of President Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. Development began in 1935, after the Mary Louise Hussey family . . . — — Map (db m110956) HM
On North Market Street at West Bateman Alley, on the right when traveling north on North Market Street.
This machine was used by the Jefferson Jimplecute to make newspaper printing plates until the early 1970’s. This “hot type” machine actually melted lead that was then cast into strips of lead type that were locked into place on the . . . — — Map (db m110995) HM
On West Austin Street, 0.1 miles east of South Vale Street, on the right when traveling east.
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 . . . — — Map (db m110985) HM
On Austin Street at North Vale Street, on the right when traveling west on Austin Street.
Near Trammel's Trace, a road charted 1813, used by thousands of settlers migrating to Texas. Site was owned 1868 by D. B. Culberson, later a congressman and a lawyer for defense in the Diamond Bessie murder trial. Culberson's 2-story building here . . . — — Map (db m119832) HM
On East Jefferson Street at South Bridge Street, on the right when traveling west on East Jefferson Street.
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 worship.Recorded Texas . . . — — Map (db m218607) HM
Near East Douglas Street at North Line Street, on the right when traveling east.
Native of Tennessee, participant in United States war with Mexico, Texas businessman, colonel of the 19th Texas Confederate Infantry, commended for gallantry at Milliken's Bend during Vicksburg Campaign, fought at Mansfield and Pleasant Hill during . . . — — Map (db m95673) HM
On West Henderson Street near North Market Street, on the left when traveling east.
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). In 1875, property was bought . . . — — Map (db m218606) HM
On West Henderson Street at North Vale Street, on the right when traveling west on West Henderson Street.
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 — — Map (db m218609) HM
Near Lewis Chapel Road, 0.6 miles west of State Highway 43.
This site began as the family burial ground for Sofia Smith Whatley and her descendants. A South Carolina native, Whatley moved from Alabama with her son, Miles Jefferson, shortly after her husband, Martin, died in 1875. She came to this area to . . . — — Map (db m160764) HM
On North Polk Street (County Road 134) at East Clarksville Street, on the left when traveling north on North Polk Street.
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 Partisan Rangers.
After war, was in . . . — — Map (db m119557) HM
On West Lafayette Street at North Market Street, on the right when traveling east on West Lafayette Street.
Settling in Jefferson prior to the Civil War, Jacob and Ernestine Sterne became prominent leaders of the community. Their early management of the post office here and their involvement in civic and cultural activities reflected the dramatic . . . — — Map (db m110965) HM
Builders completed this house for Frank Stilley, a cotton broker from Louisiana, and his wife Minerva Fox Stilley shortly after they married in 1860. They owned the house until the early 1880s. By 1885, former slave Charlie Young purchased the home. . . . — — Map (db m58480) HM
On West Lafayette Street just west of North Market Street, on the left when traveling west.
Remembered for his many songs and hymns, including “This Ole House,” “Until Then,” & “It Is No Secret (What God Can Do).” Born in nearby Kellyville, TX, Marion County, Oct. 20, 1908. Died in Los Angeles, CA, . . . — — Map (db m151688) HM
On West Austin Street at South Polk Street (County Highway 134), on the right when traveling east on West Austin Street.
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 Military Institute, . . . — — Map (db m110950) HM
On West Henderson Street, on the left when traveling north.
Built 1860 with kitchen detached, in custom of Old South. Represents cottage type. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966 Entered in the National Register of Historical Places 1970 — — Map (db m180152) HM
On North Vale Street north of West Lafayette Street, on the right when traveling north.
Built 1872 in Victorian style, with long galleries, bay window, 4 gables. Then a hotel, it became famous when guest "Diamond Bessie" Moore was killed west of town at a picnic in 1877. Fellow guest Abe Rothchild, cited for murder, was freed after . . . — — Map (db m119835) HM
On North Polk Street (Farm to Market Road 134) at Lafayette Street, on the right when traveling north on North Polk Street.
Thomas J. Rogers (1832-1918), a native of Mississippi, came to Jefferson in 1856. After serving in the Civil War, where he attained the rank of captain, he returned here and in 1868 established a mercantile business in this block. In partnership . . . — — Map (db m218604) HM
On North Polk Street (County Road 134) at East Clarksville Street, on the left when traveling north on North Polk Street.
Capt. George Todd (1839-1913) was a Confederate veteran, ex-district attorney, former state legislator, and senior member of East Texas Bar. He built this home in 1893 for his family: wife Marion (Miller); sons Van Dyke, A. Miller, . . . — — Map (db m119560) HM
On East Jefferson Street at South Alley Street, on the left when traveling west on East Jefferson Street.
In 1856 or 1857 C. S. Sabine built this Greek revival house with its large central hallway. In 1858 the residence was sold to District Judge William S. Todd (1808-1864), who attended the Secession convention of 1861. The dwelling was occupied from . . . — — Map (db m218612) HM
On East Clarksville Street west of North Walnut Street, on the right when traveling west.
William P. Torrans (1818-1881) built this Greek revival structure on Lafayette Street in the 1860s. It was purchased in 1877 by druggist E. W. Taylor (b. 1838), a former mayor of Jefferson, and Anna Matilda Clopton . . . — — Map (db m119841) HM
On Farm to Market Road 2208 at U.S. 59, on the left when traveling east on Highway 2208.
Traces began as foot paths used by the Indians to mark their trails through wilderness areas. They later were used by surveyors in mapping early land grants.
In 1824 Nicholas Trammel (1780-1852), a government scout, began opening up the trace that . . . — — Map (db m110958) HM
On West Austin Street at North Vale Street, on the right when traveling west on West Austin Street.
Born in Jefferson, Vernon Dalhart (Marion Try Slaughter II) began his career here at Kahn Saloon, starred later in operas in New York, and recorded for Edison's talking machine. His rendition of "The Prisoner's Song" (1924) was the first folk ballad . . . — — Map (db m119818) HM
The original two rooms of this house, located in the back, are believed to have been built before 1852 by Jefferson's founder Allen Urquhart (1792-1866). Three rooms, constructed in the front, were joined to the earlier structure by William Clark . . . — — Map (db m180157) HM
