Jefferson, Texas

Local Setting (Geography, History, and Population Demographics):

Jefferson, formerly an active river port, has a rich history that has earned it much name recognition.  In the previous century it was a bustling center.  Established in 1845 as a river port upstream from New Orleans, Jefferson was visited by steamboats with loads of people migrating westward into Texas.  The steamboats traveled up the Red River, crossed westward beyond Caddo Lake into Big Cypress Bayou, and docked at the furthest reach upstream where covered wagons were built and readied for travel.  Bales of ginned cotton were carried back downstream to New Orleans. After the Civil War, Jefferson's population boomed to 35,000 due to heavy commerce. Southern mansions and plantations were common.  However, after the boom came a terrible bust.

Prosperity ended when an important log jam that kept water levels backed high was demolished on the Red River in 1873. The river channel which ran across Caddo Lake and up to Jefferson became too shallow and unreliable for steamboat travel. With its crucial travel, shipping, and trade artery ruined, Jefferson was economically strangled. The population plummeted to less than 3,000 and the community was left with the remnants of many old mansions and homes that typified the Civil War era.

 Today, Jefferson is experiencing a renaissance of culture, art, and tourism. In the mid-twentieth century, local women civic groups initiated and organized annual tours of the old large homes and mansions. These tours proved to be popular, and, slowly, a highly successful tourist business developed focusing on Jefferson's nineteenth century heritage. Once dilapidated buildings are now crowded with shops, and the red brick streets are now walked upon by tens of thousands of tourists annually.  Antique dealers, beds & breakfasts, and 19th century theme restaurants are commonplace.  On January 29, 1997, the 75th Legislature of Texas declared Jefferson as the Bed & Breakfast Capital of East Texas (HCR 3).

Annual events that attract heavy tourism include the Jefferson Pilgrimage (the first weekend in May); the Christmas Candlelight Tour (December); and Mardi Gras Upriver (spring).

The heavy tourist activity and subsequent high real estate prices within the City of Jefferson create an anomaly that does not reflect well the county's overall economic condition.  A low county population along with an average per capita income that was approximately $9,197 (1989 figures) makes Marion County one of the poorest in the State of Texas.  The west end near Lake O' the Pines is more prosperous than the east end near Caddo Lake.  Local industries include Blackburn's Syrup Works which came to Jefferson in 1929 and makes a wide assortment of jams and jellies.  In 1995, International Paper Company became a major employer by opening a plant that manufactures oriented strand board.

The Cypress Valley Alliance, a non-profit corporation serving the regional watershed involving several Texas counties and Caddo Parish, Louisiana, is seeking to promote sustainable development and educational opportunities in the region by building partnerships.  Contact Information:  Cypress Valley Alliance, P.O. Drawer C, 119 West Lafayette, Jefferson, Texas 75657,  (903) 665-2700, Fax (903) 665-1847, Email: cva@cva.ml.org.

The Jefferson Independent School District serves almost all of Marion County.  Many economic disadvantages confront the school district and the students in their home lives.  Recently, outstanding community leadership has worked impressively to bring in several academies for training high school students towards careers.  They include: American Airlines Travel Academy, Restaurant Association Hospitality Academy, Medical Training Academy, and Microsoft Technology Academy.  Panola College, based in Carthage, Texas, has opened a branch campus in Jefferson this academic year and is also providing college level coursework for selected high school students.

Jefferson High School, home of the Bulldogs, is the only high school.  Their address is #1 Bulldog Drive, Jefferson, Texas 75657,  (903) 665-3916,  Fax (903) 665-2146.    Email:  jhs@clover.cleaf.com.   One high school organization of very impressive note is the Jefferson Junior Historians.  Since 1972, the Jefferson chapter of the Texas Junior Historians has garnered many first place state awards and honors for their essays on the community's colorful history as a result of much investigative research.  They also are highly active during the annual Pilgrimage and Mardi Gras with fun shows for the tourists.

Local Publications:
Bayou Mist (quarterly), 104 Walnut, Jefferson, Texas 75657, (903) 665-1929.
The Jefferson Jimplecute (weekly newspaper), 205 W. Austin, Jefferson, Texas 75657-2203,  (903) 665-2462. 
The Jeffersonian (published semiannually by the Historic Jefferson Foundation), P.O. Box 688, Jefferson, Texas 75657.
The Marshall News Messenger (daily newspaper), 309 E. Austin, Marshall, Texas 75670-3475,  (903) 935-7914.
The Uncertain News (semiannual newspaper), Rt. 2  Box 63A, Uncertain, Texas 75661,  (903) 789-3978.
 
For Further Reading:

Elliot, Lawrence, The Place That Wouldn't Die.  Reader's Digest, (May 1997): 122-126.

Martin, Paul, The Little Town That Could.  National Geographic Traveler, (March/April, 1997):  30, 32-35.

More Information Online:
Jefferson (www.texasmonthly.com)
Jefferson, Texas (www.etnet.net)
Jefferson, Texas (www.tnti.com)
Texas Online: Jefferson, Texas (www.texas-on-line.com)
Texas Trails Information On Jefferson (www.lnstar.com)
Travel Texas Information On Jefferson (www.traveltex.com)
 

Texas Trails Information On Uncertain (www.lnstar.com)

For weather information:
 

Racial Demographics (1990 Census)		Sources of information used November 1997:   http://www.state.tx.us/maps/315.html  http://www.census.gov/ftp/pub/statab/USACounties/48/315.txt
White	6792
Black	3100
Other	92