Texas Historical Marker #08018
The Brooks House. 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 sensational trial-- later subject of a drama. #8018
208 Vale St., Jefferson, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08019
Brown Building. Old home of Jefferson "Jimplecute" and other newspapers, and the Chesterfield Social Club. Now Brown Building. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966 #8019
112 N. Vale, Jefferson, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08020
Brown-Bender House. 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 Jefferson's road commissioner, bought the house and renovated it. The home remained in the Bender family until 1972. It features the original hardware, stained glass windows, doors, and intricate gingerbread trim. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1983 #8020
409 E. Broadway, Jefferson, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08021
Dan N. Alley Home. Built by Dan N. Alley, a founder of Jefferson. Was wedding gift to a son. Now home of Mary Carlson, a descendant. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966 #8021
501 E. Walker St., Jefferson, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08022
Christ Episcopal Church. 1868. Parish instituted 1860. Rev. E. G. Benners first resident clergyman (1869-1894). Gothic architecture, lancet windows, scroll beams. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1964 #8022
Main and Taylor St., Jefferson, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08023
William Clark Residence. 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 (1848-1928), a local merchant who bought the house in 1885. A Presbyterian, Clark served as postmaster and county judge and in 1901 became the Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge in Texas. He lived here for 43 years. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1981 #8023
201 Henderson, Jefferson, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08024
Confederate Civil War Meat Packing Plant. 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 trailing distance, in east and north Texas. Herds were bought at $20 to $40 a head. Used 42-gallon wooden barrels. Filled these with meat and brine. Obtained salt from New Iberia, La., and elsewhere through the Confederate government. Yet even with use of preservative salt, bloody water was sometimes found in the packed meat. The army complained it was made to accept this, though regular customers would have rejected it. The greater portion of cattle went out of Texas on the hoof, to be served as fresh meat after being slaughtered in the army camp. So much beef, pork, mutton, grain, sugar, salt, peas, beans, flour and corn meal was shipped away that Texas became known as the breadbasket of the Confederacy. Supplying of food was only one part of the Texas war effort, which included yielding her cotton crops as currency to buy guns and ammunition and other goods, and sending her mean and horses into the fight. #8024
Walnut and Polk (SH 49), Jefferson, TX, United States
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Texas Historical Marker #08025
Texas Statesman Charles Allen Culberson. 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, University of Virginia. Began practice of law in Jefferson, 1877, in firm of his father, United States Congressman D. B. Culberson. He moved to Dallas 1887. Won elections as attorney general, 1890 and 1892. In this office recovered for Texas more than 2,000,000 acres of public domain illegally claimed by railroads. He also gave strong support to reforms of Gov. James S. Hogg, notably in antitrust laws, and creation of Railroad Commission. In two terms as governor (1895-1899), was famous for vigorous law enforcement and a strong fiscal policy which reduced state expenses. Although known as "veto governor," he was able to show Legislature and the people the justice of his vetoes. Elected to the United States Senate, 1898; became Senate Minority Leader, 1907, and was considered for the presidency, 1908, by National Democratic Party. Chief Senate service was on Judiciary Committee, of which he was chairman, 1913-1919. Retired in 1922. Died in Washington. Is buried in Fort Worth. #8025
Courthouse lawn (Polk and Austin St.), Jefferson, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08027
Vernon Dalhart. (April 6, 1881 - September 15, 1948) 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 to sell over a million records, and led to the rise of country music as an American art form. Dalhart is said to have made over 3,500 records, many under assumed names. Nostalgia for Jefferson echoed in his "Caroline," "Bully of the Town," and other hits. Within ten years he earned and lost a fortune, later living in obscurity. Incise in base: Marker sponsored by the Hoblitzelle Foundation. #8027
123 W. Austin St., Jefferson, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08028
Rowell Family Home. Early clapboard cottage with ornate trim. Once a tavern; since 1856 in Dr. R. E. Rowell family; known as DeWare home. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966 #8028
Dixon and Owens St., Jefferson, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08029
Early Site of Bell Factory. From a log blacksmith shop in 1854 grew a bell foundry owned by G. A. Kelly which manufactured cowbells widely used by pioneer ox-team freighters. Later the Kelly plow, one of the first modern plows made in Texas, was manufactured here. #8029
?, Jefferson, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08030
Alice Emmert Home. Built about 1868 in late Greek revival style by George B. Draper. Victorian elements were added by later owners before 1898, when the house was purchased by Alice Emmert (1866-1925). Miss Emmert, who was one of the first women elected to public office in Texas, served as county superintendent of education, 1908-20. Claudia Taylor (Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson) lived here, 1924-26, while attending school. The structure is still owned by an Emmert heir. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1974 #8030
408 E. Jefferson, Jefferson, TX, United States
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Texas Historical Marker #08031
Excelsior House. Oldest hotel in East Texas. Frame part built in 1850s; 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 #8031
Vale St. and Austin, Jefferson, TX, United States
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Texas Historical Marker #08032
Falling Leaves, 1855. 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 #8032
304 E. Jefferson St., Jefferson, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08033
Old Federal Building. 1869. First Federal Court and Custom House. Also housed county court and its records. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965 #8033
107 Vale St., Jefferson, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08034
Old Federal Court and Post Office Building. Used 1890-1964 by Court of Eastern District of Texas. Now a museum. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966 #8034
223 Austin St., Jefferson, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08035
The Figures House. A typical East Texas Greek revival cottage, built in 1850s by Bartholomew Figures, who had been a local innkeeper. His son, James C. Figures, was later one of the many short-term owners. Mrs. Mary Eglentine Whitfield (1852-1941), a dressmaker, owned and occupied the structure, 1883-1928. Members of J. H. Benefield's family were owner-landlords, 1936-70. In 1970, it was sold to Mrs. Tommie Wurtsbaugh Glick, an artist, who has restored it. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1973 #8035
407 E. Jefferson St., Jefferson, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08036
First Texas Artificial Gas Plant. 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 heated; its gas was forced into mains by use of a pressure drum. Street lights on hollow posts, 300 feet apart, were 10-candle glass globes, lighted by a man on a ladder. These and gaslights in houses gave Jefferson-- then largest inland port and second largest city in Texas-- the state's first gaslight system. #8036
Lafayette and Market St., Jefferson, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08037
First Baptist Church of Jefferson. 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 Methodist and Presbyterian churches. The Rev. D. B. Culberson (1796-1862) served as the second pastor, 1857-1859. He was the father of Congressman David B. Culberson (1830-1900) and grandfather of Governor Charles A. Culberson (1855-1925). The fellowship erected a two-story brick church building on this property in 1869. It was the meeting place in May 1874 of the Southern Baptist Convention, with over 1000 in attendance. It was also the site of an 1877 revival led by Evangelist William E. Penn, a member of this congregation. In 1898 the fellowship split. Pat of the members formed Howelltown Baptist Church; the remainder continued to worship in the brick church until about 1917. The Howelltown congregation adopted the name Central Baptist in 1924. After the two groups reunited in 1937 as the First Baptist Church, members restored and reoccupied the 1869 structure. When it burned in 1944, a new church was erected. Educational facilities were added in 1951 and 1973. #8037
523 N. Polk, Jefferson, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08038
Site of the First Ice Factory in Texas. Established 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. (1936) #8038
SH 49, Jefferson, TX, United States