Visitor Guide July 2021 by Fox Press

Discover Jefferson

& Marion County

July, August, September 2021

A Publication of Marion County Media v2, I3

• Jefferson Salutes America • AHRMA Vintage Motocross • Antique Tractor Show • Growing Up Jefferson 1

The Front Porch

Where there’s SOMETHING for EVERYONE!

• Worldwide Fair Trade gifts • Wind Chimes & Yard Art • Beard and Mustache care • Bigfoot merchandise • Classic Children’s books

303 N Polk St, Jefferson • 361-788-3369 2

What’s Inside

Welcome to the third edition of Discover Jefferson & Marion County! This quarterly publication is focused on what’s happening in and around Jefferson, Marion County, Texas. We’re deep in the Northern Piney Woods, nestled between two lakes (Caddo Lake and Lake O’the Pines) and have opportunities for romance, adventure, and to escape back to a simpler time. We hope to see you (again) in Jefferson and Marion County! Find Us Online: MarionCoHerald.com

Growing Up Jefferson ............ 7 Anqique Tractor Show ......... 11 Summer Events .................... 15 Pioneer Days Debut ............ 19 July 4 Celebration ................ 21 Caddo Lake ......................... 27 Map of City .................... 28-29 Map of Caddo Lake ........ 30-31 Map of Lake O’the Pines . 32-33 Preview: Norton Ralley ....... 40 Tours and Attractions.......... 44 Places to Stay ...................... 49 Places to Eat ........................ 48 Discover Jefferson & Marion County is published quarterly by Marion County Media.

409 S. Alley

903-665-8000

The House of the Seasons offers bed and breakfast accommodations and is an exclusive destination for special events and tours.

Bed & Breakfast

• 4 Suites with King Beds

Museum Tour Home & Gardens

• Tours are available by Appointment at 11 a.m. • Tour bus and school groups welcome

www.HouseOfTheSeasons.com 5

Race Hot Line, call or text, 903-742-2041 or 903-445-9796

www.DiamondDonEmpire.com For event schedule and information info@DiamondDon.com

s hot eS om wes u-A y La enn y: K to b Pho

Jefferson is one mile from track, Bed & Breakfasts, Antiques, Museums, Shopping, Restaurants. Great Cell & Wifi Service. Directions: From Hwy 59, take Hwy 49 East toward Downtown Jefferson. Left at Y in Road, Hwy 49 East toward Smithland. Track one mile on Right.

Growing Up Jefferson: A Lifetime in a Park

By John T. Taylor Never a Parking Place When You Need One…But We Do Have a Park In my lifetime, I’ve seen Jefferson parks come and Jefferson parks go. No… parks (plural) is not even close to being right. The only one I remember is the old City Park off West Harrison Street and North Tuttle Street. It was a shaded park with WPA era grills and picnic tables, the ones with iron ore rock supports and concrete table tops. Well, it’s now a part of the Jefferson Elementary School campus so it’s definitely no longer a park. That complex included the Lions Club Swimming Pool you have read about here. It also had a concrete surfaced tennis

court where I failed to make the high school tennis team (double fault match point choke). That court is now the underlying foundation of the Marion County Central Appraisal District office. So not parks (plural), but a park (singular). And, yes, I remember the old Roadside Park on FM 2208. But that was out of town and not accessible to me at that time. So parks haven’t gone. It’s other childhood shrines that have become parks, or more accurately parking lots. The Strand Theater? Check, a parking lot. The original Dairy Queen? Check, a part of the Brookshire’s

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Home Decor • Artisan Handmade Goods • Boutique Clothing 106 N Walnut Jefferson, TX 75657 • (903) 407-0445 riverrosetexas@yahoo.com

Bohn’s Gift Shoppe

“The Blackburn Outlet” 108 E. Lafayette St. Jefferson, Texas 75657

903-665-1128 7

Growing Up Jefferson: A Lifetime in a Park

...Continued From Page 7

Grocery Store parking lot. And the Lions Club Swimming Pool? Double check because it already had a parking lot, but the pool is now the Jefferson Independent School District school bus parking lot. Who could have known 50 years ago that Jefferson would one day have so many vehicles to park that we had to remove some of my favorite structures to accommodate them? At least, we still have Moody’s. No, never mind… another parking lot. Today’s Jefferson is indeed blessed with a park, and it occupies an entire city block. On probably the highest hill in the city, it is bounded by Taylor, Line, Jefferson and Main Streets, across those

streets from the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Christ Episcopal Church. It has a gazebo, arboretum, playground equipment and even a baseball backstop. I have seen it used for fireworks displays, flea markets and at least, twice, a circus. It is named Lions Club Park, even though it is owned by the city. Years ago, the Lions Club took on the project of beautifying the block, providing maintenance and building the gazebo among other projects and the name has remained in honor of those efforts. Every Christmas season, the Lions sponsor the Enchanted Forest, where they erect one hundred Christmas trees and allow organizations and individuals

Continued On Page 34...

Thursday-Sunday 10:30a-4:30p • 903-665-0053

Extended Summer Hours Spend the Summer With Us

3rd Antique Tractor Show Comes to Jefferson

Jefferson’s streets will be closed to traffic to accommodate antique tractors, trucks and stationary engines Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. More than 100 tractors will be on show in downtown Jefferson. The event will also include Slow Tractor Race, Tractor Parade, Stationary and Working Exhibits and a Swap Meet. This is a great event for the entire family. The event is free of charge for exhibitors, swap meet vendors and the public. Early registration for participants will be on Friday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. on the corner lot next to the General Store. Saturday registration for participants will be from 7 – 10 a.m. The Show opens to the public at 10 a.m. on

Saturday morning and will close at 2 p.m.. The Tractor Slow Race will be at 11 a.m., and the Tractor Parade will be at 1 p.m.. Historic Jefferson Railway will also be

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Where Elegance, History, and Romance Are All At the Same Place • • • •

Rates Start @ $99

Pet Friendly Kid Friendly All Rooms & Cottages On One Story 2 Course Gourmet Breakfast Served Every Day • Walking Distance to Downtown and the Historic District

Friday and Saturday 4 course gourmet dinner with beverages included $59.95 ($49.95 for Guests) Reservations required, limited seating 401 N. Polk Street 903-665-9511 Jefferson, Texas 75657 info@carriagehousejefferson.com

The Steamboat Inn

114 N Marshall Street Jefferson, Texas 75657 903-472-9838 • Stay@steamboatinntx.com

Enjoy small-town charm, welcoming hospitality and modern comfort 12

3rd Antique Tractor Show Comes to Jefferson

...Continued From Page 11

running during this event and recreates the Golden Era of railroading aboard an antique gas-powered locomotive with narrated historical day trains on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. As you roll through the history laden Piney Woods, you’ll view a Confederate Powder Magazine and traverse the site of one of the oldest, historical towns in Texas, with historical ruins from the 1800’s. Each train will stop at the Diamond Don Gator Pit to feed the eight live alligators. Bring your RV or tent camp at Diamond Don RV Park just a short one mile from Jefferson, on the Big Cypress Bayou, keeping you close to the action.

Beautiful wooded sites with lots of wildlife. Many of the RV sites have views of the Big Cypress Bayou. Free WIFI, showers, rest rooms and dump station. Launch your kayak or canoe right from the park. Enjoy fishing off the banks of the river. Jefferson is nestled deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas and seems frozen in time. It is a charming town and an elegant reminder of a bygone era. There are more than a hundred buildings in the city with historical markers. Many historic homes offer bed and breakfast accommodations. Dozens of other historic buildings house museums, craft and antique shops

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mamadeansplace.com • MamaDeansPlace on FB & Air BnB 14

Summer Events in Jefferson July

exercise walking with us to learn about how we raise grass-fed beef and pastured chicken, turkey, pork, and eggs. Meet the farm Pup Patrol who help guard against skunks, aerial predators, and coyotes, and the farm cat pack who help keep the mouse and snake population down. Our farm is designed with the curious & mindful eater in mind. If you’re looking for a better source of meats & eggs and want to see for yourself what a real farm can look like, our tours are for you. You don’t have to know anything about farming to enjoy our tours. However, our tours involve a rigorous walk across over a half mile of meadow terrain, and you will need to plan accordingly. Please read our FAQ for more detailed information.

3-4 Historic Jefferson Railway 4 of July Weekend Includes stop at the Diamond Don Gator Pit for alligator feeding (weather permitting) Saturday & Sunday Narrated Historical Day Tours: 12:30 and 2:30 The Historic Jefferson Railway will offer a special July 4th weekend as the history of Independence Day unfolds in the narrated day tours. Come see the Support Our Troops display that honors the United States Military. Active Military personnel ride free. 3 Shady Grove Ranch Farm Tour. Shady Grove Ranch. Registration Required. Come catch a breath of fresh air and learn all about a better way to raise meats and eggs. Our tours are engaging, fun, and informative. You’ll get your th

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YesterYear Gift shop &

Classy Glitz Boutique

102 S Polk • 903-665-8692 • Unique Gifts Crosses, Hats, Frames, Ornaments Nutcrackers for Military, Fire Dept., Police, EMS, Doctor, Nurse & More! Collegiate Gift Items, Tea Sets & Dolls! Handmade Baby & Lap Quilts, Historical Jefferson Afghans, Western Items, Seasonal Flags, Texas Spices, Unique Salt & Pepper Shakers, Knives, Tin Signs, Texas Décor, Biker Gifts, Tyler Candles, Wedding & Annivesary Gifts! • Classy Clothing & Accessories Sizes (S/3XL), New Jewelry & Purses! • Collectibles Jim Shore, Possible Dreams, Nutcrackers, Snowbabies, Pie Birds, Joseph’s

Studio by Roman, Painted Ponies, Fontanini & more! • Christmas All Year Dept. 56 Lighted Houses & Village Accessories, Special Assortment of Santas, Angels & Nativity Sets! • Ornaments - For All Seasons & Reasons Old World Christmas Ornaments, Baby, Wedding, Animals, Military, Birds, Jefferson Ornaments & Many More! We Can Personalize Most Ornaments! yesteryeargiftshoptx www.yesteryeargiftshop.com yesteryr@swbell.net

Tues 12-5 • Wed-Fri 10-5, Sat 10-6, Call Sun & Mon

Open 7 Days a Week

Mon-Thurs 10-5 Fri-Sat 10-6 Sun 11-4

118 E Henderson • (903) 665-8966

Boutique • Oxygen Bar • Jewelry • Home Decor • Incense Pretty Angel Clothing • Unique Fashions • Custom Lighting Soaps • Candles • Gemstones

www.facebook.com/madeintheshadejefferson

mer m u gS n i n 1 Ope 202

Turning Basin Riverboat Tours Open Thursday - Monday

(Weather Permitting) Located Across the Bridge in Downtown Jefferson

One-Hour Narrated Tours of the Big Cypress Bayou Come experience the history of the bayou in Jefferson

School, Group Rates • Reservations May be Required For More Information call 903-665-8966

www.facebook.com/jeffersonboattours 16 16

Texas Treasures

https://www.ebay.com/str/texastreasuresantiqueshop

Trendy Gift Shop, Some Dust, Rust & Good Ole Stuff Antiques! Just Be Ready to Expect the Unexpected!

New & Old and a Lot In Between…You’ll Always Be Entertained! 214 N Polk St • 903-665-3757 • 4u82bug@gmail.com 17

View important artifacts from Jefferson, Marion County, and around the world Take your time exploring four floors of the 1890 former Federal Courthouse and Post Office

Year-Round Hours 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Closed New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiv ing, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Admission: $10, Seniors $8, Youth (612) $5, Children, Veterans and Military Free T&P Model Train Depot Included 223 W AUSTIN ST • JEFFERSON 903-665-2775 • JEFFERSONMUSEUM@YAHOO.COM WWW.JEFFERSONMUSEUM.NET 18 18

Pioneer Days Debut Labor Day Weekend Plans are underway for the first-ever Old Pioneer Days on Labor Day in weekend in Jefferson. The idea is an additional promotion for the much-anticipated appearance of the famous Sons of the Pioneers musical group that will present a concert on Monday, Sept. 6. The concert will be held at the Tourist and Convention building. Tickets for that will go on sale this week at JeffersonOperaHouseTheatrePlayers. com. According to theatre board members, the idea was generated when they

realized that bringing the long beloved, internationally acclaimed group to Jefferson would probably benefit the community as a whole if it was fashioned as a two-day event prior to the concert. Plans are being formulated to include a Pioneer Days parade on Saturday, Sept. 4, focusing on the earliest days of Jefferson with oldfashioned wagons and carriages as well as equestrians in costume of the pioneer days when the town was first founded along the Big Cypress River.

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224 N. Walnut St Jefferson , TX 75657 903-665-8852 MPFURPHY@outlook.com www.JeffersonAntiqueMall.com Facebook.com/JeffersonAntiqueMall/ 19

Old Fashioned July 4th a Tradition

After a year off in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jefferson is gearing up for their annual 4th of July celebration. “Jefferson Salutes America” will kick off at 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 4. Always starting downtown at Otstott Park, the line-up for the children’s parade will begin at 5:45 p.m. The parade will follow immediately The event will get underway at 6 p.m. with a welcome, thereafter. The home ice cream championship invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Continued On Page 23...

226 N Polk Street 903-665-8282

We Have Bear Tracks!

The Fudge Store

123 Walnut Street • Jefferson, TX 75657

800.227.1030

Fudge • Candy • Candles Jellies • Relishes • Pickles Soaps Body Lotions • Kitchen Goods

Old Fashioned July 4th a Tradition Continued From Page 21... will be judged at 6:15 p.m. and the annual Cake and Pie Auction will commence at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds from the auction benefit the Friends of Jefferson Carnegie Library. Area youth groups also setup booths around the park to fundraise for their fall activities. A band concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. featuring the Shreveport Metropolitan Concert Band. Trophies will be presented to the Ice Cream winners during intermission at 8 p.m. The Quacker State 500 Duck Race will roll out at 9 p.m. prior to the annual Fireworks Fantazamagoria at 9:15

p.m. Otstott Park is located at 210 West Lafayette Street in Jefferson. Jefferson Salutes America is a family friendly event that harkens to another time and celebrates the incredible community that calls Jefferson home.

Booth 12

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Pioneer Days Debut Labor Day Weekend Continued From Page 19... Later on that day a street dance will be held on Austin Street with a live band from 6-8 p.m. where prizes will be given for the best early-Texas-costumes for a man, a woman and a child. The following day, Sunday, Sept. 5, will see a noon feed of featuring vittles of the period at a location to be determined. It will also have live entertainment that could include exhibition square dancers and a trick roping artist. A recreation of a shootout that originally occurred in downtown Jefferson is also being planned in the actual location of the event pending arrangements

The committee is still gathering funds to support the proposed activities of the two days and some donations have already been received. Those who wish to hop on the “pioneer wagon” can do so by donating amounts that start with as little as $100 and go up to $1000 or more. The sponsoring organization, the Opera House Theatre Players, is a 501(c) organization and all donations are fully tax deductible. Letters will be issued to those donors for their benefit. Anyone interested in helping should contact theatre president Marcia Thomas at 903-665-8243 for information.

BEER • WINE • LIQUOR • SNACKS

701 ST JOHN ST • 903-665-3242

Caddo Lake: Unlike Anything, Anywhere

Bald cypress trees draped with Spanish moss tower over the maze of bayous, sloughs and ponds of Caddo Lake. Visitors are welcomed to paddle these waterways, stay in a historic cabin or try their luck fishing. At Caddo Lake State Park, you can fish, paddle, hike, picnic, camp or stay in a cabin, look for a geocache and go boating. A group hall is available to rent for your next reunion. Among the vast array of wildlife who called the park home, alligators live in the park. So all visitors are encouraged to read the park alligator safety tips before they visit.

Anglers have access the 26,810-acre Caddo Lake, which harbors more than 70 species of fish. The park has a fishing pier and a boat ramp. You do not need a fishing license to fish from shore in a Texas State Park. Paddlers can explore Caddo Lake’s twists and turns. Canoe rentals are available in the park or bring your own canoe or kayak. You can also venture onto more than 50 miles of paddling trails in the Caddo Lake area, Visitors can choose from 46 campsites, ranging from water only to full hookup sites, stay at a screened shelter Continued on Page 34... (Light)

144 Cypress Drive • Uncertain, Texas

903 789 2044

Breakfast & Lunch Brown Cows Snacks Groceries/Produce Beer/Wine Tobacco Ice/Ice Cream Souvenirs

Johnson’s Ranch Marina

Canoe/Kayak Rentals and Private Boat Tours www.johnsonsranch.net • billy@johnsonsranch.net 5131 East Cypress Drive, Uncertain, Texas 75661 • 903-789-3213

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Caddo Lake: Unlike Anything, Anywhere

Continued From Page 27.. or rent one of our historic cabins. These range from two- to six-person cabins, and several are ADA accessible. Hikers can explore the forest afoot. One-quarter mile of the Caddo Forest Trail is ADA accessible. Shoppers can find gifts and souvenirs at the park store. Ranger Programs are also available. Park employees lead programs on the nature and history of the park and surrounding area, as well as hikes and paddles. Kids can become a Junior Ranger! In doing so, they can borrow an explorer pack, loaded with tools for explor-

ing the park and pick up a free Junior Ranger Activity Journal in order to complete tasks to earn a badge. Teachers might also be interested to know that the park is a Texas Aquatic Science Certified Field Site. Additional historical significance is given to the fact that the Civilian Conservation Corps built the dining hall, cabins and many other park facilities in the 1930s. To learn more, visit our History page. Area Attractions Nearby cities include: -Marshall, home of the Starr Family State Historic Site -Karnack, childhood home of Lady

Butler & Haggard Realty Executives 120 N Vale St

(903) 736-4403

@paulabutlerBandH 34

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Growing Up Jefferson: A Lifetime in a Park

...Continued From Page 9

market building was converted to what was probably the first public school in Jefferson. A few years later (no, I still wasn’t there), that building burned and a rather grand new school building was erected on the site. My dad attended school in that building. Coincidentally, that school burned also in the mid-1930’s. During the Great Depression of that time, the WPA was tasked with putting unemployed people to work and much of that work was building schools, swimming pools, parks and football fields. Jefferson was the recipient of all of those structures, at least one of which, the Roadside Park on FM2208, still remains. The Jefferson school I attended, grades 1-12, was constructed at the site of the two previous schools that burned in the mid-1930’s. At one time, I knew exactly when that was because there was a bronze plaque in the alcove of the main elementary school entrance that stated that date and that it had been built by the Works

to decorate them for a small fee. I will tell you a story about this later, but it is an impressive sight when those trees are lighted and surrounded by visitors to Jefferson during the Christmas season. But uses such as these were not always so, and the park many years ago had an even more active use. Historically speaking (and I know your eyes just glazed over), the present Lions Club Park was the center of Jefferson’s city government. In the 1870’s (and no, kids, I wasn’t there), the city passed a bond issue to build, among other things, a rather magnificent City Hall and market on that site. Not too many years after that, the city fathers apparently decided that a trip up the hill from town to conduct city business was a little too inconvenient for merchants. Remember we’re talking about carriages and horse-drawn wagons as the primary means of transportation then. So a building on Austin Street was renovated and became City Hall and the fire station. The old City Hall and

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Photos by Riverbend Outfitters

Caddo Lake: Unlike Anything, Anywhere

...Continued From Page 34 Bird Johnson Restaurant - (903) 789-3295 -Jefferson, once the largest inland -Jefferson Landing Riverboat - (903) port in Texas 665-2222 Boat tours are available from: -Johnson’s Ranch Marina - (903) -Shady Glade Marina, Motel and 789-3213

115 N Polk St facebook.com/cherrybombkids 903-665-4102 36

Growing Up Jefferson: A Lifetime in a Park

...Continued From Page 35

Progress Administration. As frequent visitors to that alcove, we would read that inscription and wonder what the W.P.A. was, why they would build a school and why we had to attend in an old building even though it was only twenty years old at that time. Distance and time concepts were apparently not taught at Jefferson Elementary. There is a very detailed description of the Jefferson school buildings in my previous story, Doing Hard Time at Jefferson Elementary, 1950’s Style. Without too much repetition, there were two buildings, both two-storied. The eastern most building housed the elementary and junior high school, while Jefferson High School was found on the western side of the block. The

buildings were connected by an open air covered archway which we elementary students followed to the high school auditorium and our music class. The auditorium was large, at least to a youngster, and hosted talent shows, dance recitals, the annual Lions Club Minstrel and band concerts. I remember the velvet appearing maroon stage curtain with the Old English “J” placed above center stage. I imagine the acoustics were not good, the stage lighting was inadequate and there were water stains on the ceiling tiles, but it was ours and it certainly beat the décor at the Strand downtown. The auditorium and the school building itself was a community gathering place. That and

...Continued on Page 46

903-918-4108

6-7 Jefferson’s 9th Annual Civil War Symposium presented by Jefferson Historical Society & Museum 8am-5pm All you History buffs! A whole day of presentations, exhibits, vendors and more; with focus on Jefferson and the surrounding areas and the part they played in this unique time in our country’s history. Registration Information: contact Museum at 903-665-2775 www.jeffersonmuseum. com 6 “Sons of the Pioneers” Concert, 3 pm, sponsored by Opera House Theatre Players, ticket will be $35 each first two rows, $25 each row following. Photos and autographs following the concert as well as sales of their CD’s. Roy Rogers started the group in the 1930s but eased out when he became a superstar; the group carried on and now has his son as a major part of the singer/instrumentalists. Tickets on sale at website www.JeffersonOperaHouseTheatrePlayers.com 3-13 Diamond Don’s 19th Annual AHRMA International Vintage Motocross International AHRMA Vintage Motocross which includes Dual Sport Event on roads throughout NE Texas on Wednesday and Thursday, Cross Country and Trials on Friday, Vintage Motocross on Saturday with Post-Vintage on Sunday. 100cc and XR200cc Revenge races on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday evening – vintage dirt track. Come out and see Brad Lackey, Steve Wise, Trampas Parker and his son, Ricky and brother Heith, Trey Jorski, Guy Cooper, JoJo and brother, Ron, Johansen and event legend Billy Grossi. Vintage friendly motocross track at Diamond Don RV Park with great spectator viewing areas. Open to the public – gate

Calendar ...Continued From Page 15

www.shadygroveranch.net 4 Jefferson Salutes America. “Jefferson Salutes America” with the annual hometown celebration. It is FREE to the public. The “Big Show” begins at 5:45 pm downtown at Otstott Park. The fun Includes a children’s parade - Band Concerts - Ice Cream Championship Contest - Cake & Pie Auction - Quaker State 500 Duck Race.Then FIREWORKS FANTAZMAGORIA!! At 9:15 PM the Fireworks finale begins over the Big Cypress Bayou by the bridge downtown. 10 Wraith Chasers at The Jefferson Hotel. Chris and Mike Investigate The Jefferson Hotel. Tickets: 901-4683551.

August

14 #TurnerIntoAMom Softball Tournament Adoption Fundraiser. Modifed Co-Ed. Kellyville Park. Entry Fee $200/team, Pay at the Plate $20. First 10 teams to pay, play. Home Run Bands available at registration table. Brackets announced August 13th. Contact to Register: Amanda Powell 903-9266961; Amanda Turner 81-291-1969.

September

4 Historic Jefferson Railway Labor Day Celebration at Historic Jefferson Railway. Includes stop at the Diamond Don Gator Pit for alligator feeding (weather permitting) Saturday Narrated Historical Day Tours: 12:30 and 2:30 Celebrate Labor Day at the Historic Jefferson Railway as we end our summer season. Active Military personnel ride free.

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Calendar ...Continued From Page 38

fees apply.www.DiamondDon.com 17-18 3rd Annual Jefferson Antique Tractor Show Tractor Show: Saturday, 10 AM – 2 PM; early registration on Friday. The main streets in Jefferson will be closed to traffic to accommodate antique tractors, antique trucks, working and stationary antique engines. Swap meet vendors welcome. Event includes tractor parade, slow tractor race and lots of unique awards. Setup early on Friday 1-7p.m. Free admission to the public and exhibitors. 25 Wings & Wheels Cypress River Airport Fly-In FREE admission for a day of Family Fun! 10 am - 2 pm At the Airport there will be a great assortment of aircraft

both new and vintage, as well as Corvettes & Hot Rods. Lunch will be served for only $10 which will help support the airport. For more info: Luann Johnson 903-720-8851

Crestwood One Stop Snacks, Bait, Fuel, Ice, Drinks

8959 FM 729 903-755-2851

One Stop Grill 10a-7:15p 903-755-2035

“The Best Burgers in East Texas” 39

Preview: 37th Norton Bike Rallye Cruises into Jefferson

The Land O’ Pines Norton Bike Rallye will cruise into Jefferson Oct. 1-3, 2021. This Rallye regularly draws more than 300 people displaying more than 150 of the finest vintage motorcycles anywhere in the country. The event will be held at Diamond Don RV Park & Event Center. The public is invited to participate in Saturday’s Field Events, display your bike in Saturday’s Bike Show and ride in the Rolling Concours on Sunday. The weekend promises great entertainment and fun. It is open to the public, but gate fees apply. This is a beautiful campground located in the Piney Woods of East Texas. The campground sits on 100 acres and has 50 RV hook ups along with a dump station. There are clean restrooms and free Wi-Fi The center of the campground has a huge covered pavilion with a stage, sound system, lighting, and a bar with a fridge. The pavilion will be the hub of the Rallye and where the awards ceremonies will be held. The Bike Show will be on Saturday, Oct. 2. It will run from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and judging will be by popular vote. Field events kick off at 1 p.m. on with Cold Start, Ride the Plank, Clothespin

Hanging, Ring Toss, Barrel Roll, Side Car Timed Trial and Slow Race. These are great spectator events, so bring out the entire family. Concessions will be available on site. You will also be able to purchase raffle tickets for a 1979 Triumph T140D. Custom parts and brackets by Jay Moore. Starts and runs well. Reconditioned by the crew at Big D Cycle. Saturday will feature “Monsters of the Deep” Halloween Express, running at 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.. This location has a large central open pasture area that is perfect for the field events, bike show and for the rolling concours held on Sunday morning. The Rolling Concours is open to street legal motorcycles at least 30-years old. Motorcyclists must register for the event and participate in Saturday’s Bike Show to be eligible for the Rolling Concours which will cruise through the back roads of Northeast Texas. For a full schedule of events and additional information, please visit www. ntnoa.org. For more information, contact webmaster@ntnoa.org. Also visit www.DiamondDonEmpire. com for more information on the RV Park and the Halloween Train.

TOURS & ATTRACTIONS Courtesy of City of Jefferson–for more detailed information www.visitjeffersontexas.com or 903-665-3733 HOUSE OF THE SEASONS TOUR 409 S. Alley Daily @ 11 am

($10.00 per person) *By Appointment* (903) 665-8000 www.houseoftheseasons.com

SINGLETON’S VIRGINIA CROSS HISTORIC HOME TOUR 401 Soda St. Saturdays @ 1 pm ($7.00 per person) Call for additional dates & times (903) 665-3938 www.virginiacross.com

behind the Jefferson Historical Museum) Monday-Thursday at 11am & at 2pm; 6-12 yrs - $3.00; 13-17 yrs $4.00; 18-61yrs - $7.00; 62 +yrs -$5.00 Friday-Saturday 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Sunday 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm (903) 665-2775 www.jeffersonmuseum.com

MUSEUM OF MEASUREMENT AND TIME 301 N Polk St. (903)

665-6668 - Sun. 1PM - 5PM, Thurs-Sat. 10AM - 5PM, Mon-Wed: by Appt

MASON DIXON LINE MILITARY & CIVIL WAR MUSEUM 16 W

EXCELSIOR HOUSE HOTEL & JAY GOULD RAILCAR TOUR

Lafayette St. (903) 665-1859 Open FriSun or by Appt.

211 W. Austin Hotel Tours & Jay Gould Rail-car Tours: Daily @ 1 pm Excelsior House Tour - $8.00 Jay Gould Railcar Tour - $5.00 (903) 665-2513 Call to confirm tour times www.theexcelsiorhouse.com

GONE WITH THE WIND MUSEUM 408 Taylor St. (903) 665-1939 SunWed.: by Appt.; Thurs-Sat 10AM-5PM

HISTORIC JEFFERSON RAILWAY Office/Depot Open: Sat. 11am

JEFFERSON HISTORICAL MUSEUM 223 W. Austin Daily 9:30

Historical day tours on Saturday 12:30pm, 2:30pm Location: 400 E Austin St., (866)398-2038 or (903)7422041 www.JeffersonRailway.com info@ ...Continued on Page 45

am - 4:30 pm

R.D. MOSES T&P MODEL RAILROAD 223 W Austin St. (located

Pines Café 6a-8pm Thurs-Sun • 5079 FM 729 • 903-665-0347

Chicken Fried Steak • Stuffed Baked Potato • Big Country Breakfasts! • Come See Us!

TOURS & ATTRACTIONS IN JEFFERSON, TX ...Continued From Page 44 JeffersonRailway.com

week, including sunrise & sunset. Guided fishing trips. Call to set a time: 903570-2169 .caddolakebayoutours.com

OLE’ JIGGER’S CADDO LAKE ADVENTURES Private Lake Tours – Pontoon (1-15 people) or Swamp Boat (4 people). Major credit cards accepted 198 W. Sesame St., Karnack, (903)9306778 www.olejigger.com

LONESOME DOVE DRIVE THRU SAFARI Drive thru outdoor

adventure. Feed and observe over 80 exotic animals. Also a “Petting Zoo”! Open Everyday 10:30AM to (last car in) 5PM (903) 240-6180 lonesomedovedrivethrusafari.com

HISTORIC TOURS OF JEFFERSON 217 W Lafayette St. (903) 665-

CADDO LAKE GUIDE SERVICE (903) 455-3437caddolakefishing.com

CAPTAIN RON’S SWAMP TOURS - CADDO LAKE Pontoon boat tours of Caddo Lake Departs from Big Pine Lodge; 756 Pine Island Rd, Karnack, TX (903) 679-3020 captronswamptours.com/

0359 1 Hour Historic/Scenic Trolley

HISTORIC GHOST WALK (903)

601-3375 Fri & Sat Night; Meets at the Corner of Austin & Vale St.; Gather at 7:30PM, Tour starts at 8PM THE GROVE 405 Moseley St; Known as the most Haunted house in Texas! Reservations Required. 903-665-8018 www.thegrove-jefferson.com BAYOU BOAT TOURS Tuesday-Saturday 200 Bayou St.,(903) 6652222 jeffersonbayoutours.com

Tours on Caddo Lake BIG CYPRESS TOURS OF CADDO LAKE Daily Tours of Caddo Lake

- (24 ft pontoon boat) 449 Cypress Dr., Uncertain, TX (903) 570-3319 www. bigcypresstours.com

CADDO LAKE BAYOU TOURS

Tours of Scenic & Historic Caddo Lake. Pontoon boat tours available 7 days a

Kayak, Canoe, Bicycle, & Golf Cart Rentals

RIVERBEND OUTFITTERS Kayak & Canoe Rentals with delivery and/ or pick-up. Big Cypress Bayou, Caddo Lake, & Lake O’ the Pines Kristi & Jerry Thomas (903) 625-9100 www.riverbendoutfitters.com MADE IN THE SHADE Kayak & Canoe Rentals with delivery & pick-up; 118 E Henderson St., Jefferson TX (903) 665- 8966 ROY’S RAILS & RIDES Golf Cart Rentals – 2 seater, 4 seater, and Specialty carts available (903) 742-9449; 602 N Polk St, Jefferson TX

KENNEDY MANOR Bicycle Rentals: 217 W Lafayette St. 903665-0359

VisitJeffersonTexas.com 45

Growing Up Jefferson: A Lifetime in a Park ...Continued From Page 37

pretty much everything else changed for me early on the morning of November 9, 1958, a Sunday. A fire destroyed the high school building although the building housing the elementary and junior high was saved. The only structure I remember still standing was the fairly recent addition of a dressing room to the gym. A few days later, a large crane with a wrecking ball was brought in to demolish some of the walls that had remained standing, and the metal lockers were hauled off for salvage. Soon all that remained was ash and soot covered rubble where our high school once stood. The next obvious question was where do you educate 250 students without the traditional school building. Churches in the neighborhood came to the rescue providing space until a new facility could be built and students changed classes by walking, sometimes for blocks, to their new classrooms. This arrangement lasted the rest of the school year and almost all of the next until the new facility could be constructed. Life was pretty much the same for us fifth graders up on the second floor. The junior high still separated us from the north end of the building and we were still forbidden from entering that space, not that we really wanted to. The junior high boys were known to carry switchblades and the girls were starting to develop like the girls in the ads we saw in our mothers’ copies of Redbook and McCall’s. Scary stuff indeed.

But this, too, came to pass. Late in the spring of 1960, the new Junior-Senior High School was opened on East Harrison Street, in the area of the old rodeo grounds and the softball and baseball parks. It was fresh, it was modern and it was our new home. My class was the first class to spend six complete years on that campus, a source of pride for the J.H.S. Class of 1966. Someone had to do it, right? And it might as well have been us. Oh, the cafeteria served fried chicken on the first day it was open, so no more goulash and chocolate syrup on rice. One drawback, the new campus was located too far from downtown to walk for lunch. So, unless you had a car, it was the cafeteria or bring a sack lunch, neither of which was considered cool. This location, coupled with the new Highway 59 loop around downtown, caused many of our “hamburger joints” to close. And that was a loss to everyone. Now this next part gets a little complicated, but bear with me. Stop and take a breath if you need to. The elementary school that I attended was abandoned around 1968, a new one having been approved in a bond issue that also included the present high school football stadium. It was built on the site of the old football field and the former City Park that I mentioned earlier. The Lions Club swimming pool, adjacent to the City Park, was closed about the same time. That’s the iconic structure I mentioned that became a parking lot for

...Continued on Page 46

Growing Up Jefferson: A Lifetime in a Park

rary until additional structures could be built. Apparently, after passage of a bond issue shortly before and the volatility created by forced desegregation, there was no appetite for that. So the can was kicked down the road, again and again and again until fifteen years later a school board decided enough was too much and asked the voters for approval of another bond package. It passed, a new high school was built, the junior high and middle school were combined into the former high school and the elementary school remained where it was. With a few tweaks, that’s pretty much the way it remains today. You might wonder why, when a building was needed for the overflow of students created by integration, the elementary school I attended was not used? It was vacant, remember? And that reason is the same thing happened to it that happened to every other structure on that block. It burned. You might see a pattern emerging here. And there you have a thumbnail description of Jefferson’s parks, the buildings that occupied it and the school buildings as they evolved in Jefferson, at least as I remember it or was told. I took a drive yesterday, up Line Street from the house in which I grew up. I saw the trail I walked up that hill, although that clay surface has greatly eroded and it is overgrown in brush and weeds. In my childhood, I leaped those washes as I imagined they were canyons. The same effort today might well break my hip. Later, I would ride my bicycle up that

...Continued From Page 46

school buses. That parking lot, although repurposed, remains a favorite of mine. In the 1960’s and all the years before, I imagine, Jefferson had a dual system of schools. That term meant that white schoolchildren went to school in one building and children of color went to school in another building. The system was referred to as “separate but equal” but the Federal courts did not agree with this arrangement. It wasn’t just Jefferson, of course, but pretty much all the schools in Texas and the South, primarily, and the courts ordered an end to it around 1970. Now once again, Jefferson had a school building problem. A temporary solution was proposed and adopted that divided the newly integrated classes as follows. Again, it was a temporary solution, not a good solution, but maybe the only one that was possible. It was above my pay grade and I didn’t live here at the time anyway. The new elementary campus would house grades K-3, and grades 4-6 would quarter at the former Central High School, formerly the African American high school building. The junior high, grades 7-8, traveled to Smithland, 13 miles east of Jefferson, and attended class in the former Smithland Elementary School, another former African American only school. And, finally, the high school would be the former Jefferson Junior Senior High School. From all reports that I have heard, it was a very rough and stressful time. But, remember, it was only tempo-

...Continued on Page 51

Places to Eat

Auntie Skinner’s Riverboat Club and Restaurant 107 W.

Taste of Caddo 201 W Austin St. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner – Daily Specials, Comfort Foods, & yes, Catfish! 903.601.4446 Huddle House 549 Walcott (Hwy 59) Open 24 Hours, Every Day! Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner 903.665.264

Austin. 903.665.7121. Weekend Entertainment. Austin Street Bistro 117 E. Austin. Gourmet lunch and dinner. A Bistro with a casual flair. 903.665.9700. Big Cypress Nutrition 210 N Walnut St Meal Replacement Shakes & Energy Teas. 903-6015005 Bulldog Pizza 603 E. Broadway. 903.665.9499. The Carriage House BnB 401 N Polk St. Four Course Dinners by Jessi. Reservations must be made in advance. 903.665.9511

Kahn Saloon Hotel / Coffee Shop Specialty Coffees, Cookies, Muffins, Snacks; 903.601.4434

McGarity’s Restaurant & Saloon 208 W Dallas St. Lunch &

Dinner Menus, Also Vegan & Veg. Menus; Specialty Drinks, Beer, Wine, Cocktails. Open Every Day! 903.601.4407 Weekend Entertainment. Port Jefferson Outpost 220 N. Polk Breakfast, Sandwiches, Soup, & Desserts. 903.665.8881 RiverBend Restaurant Caddo Lake 211PR2422, Karnack, Tx 903.679.9000 Stillwater Inn 203 E. Broadway. Fine Dining. Reservations. 903.665.8415.

Don Juan’s Mexican Restaurant 400 S. Walcott. 903.665.6407.

Enoch’s Wine & Coffee House 116 N Polk. Espresso, Cappuccino, Americano, Latte, & Tea & of course, a wide variety of great wines 903.918.8208

Joseph’s Riverport Barbecue

The KnightLight Tavern & Olde World Restaurant 202

201 N. Polk. 903.665.2341

Kitt’s Kornbread Sandwich & Pie Bar 125 N. Polk. Home of the

N. Walnut. Great food, wine, beer, cocktails & music. Lunch, Dinner. 903.665.8546

original “Kornbread” Sandwich, Salads, Soups & Pies. 903.665.0505.

Jimplecute.com 48

Places to Stay

BED & BREAKFASTS

Old Mulberry Inn, 903-665-1945,

209 E Jefferson St, www.oldmulberryinn.com/ Steamboat Inn, 903-708-5969, 114 N Marshall St, steamboatinntx.com/ Stillwater Inn, 903-665-8415, 203 E Broadway St, stillwaterinn.com/ White Oak Manor, 903-665-8185, 502 E Benners St, www.bedandbreakfastjeffersontx.com/

3 Sister’s Cottages, 214-399-

0398, 502 Houston St, www.3sisterscottages.com Angell Manor, 903-601-5057, 502 E Taylor St, www.angellmanor. com Austin Street Cottages, 903806-0518, 406 W Austin St, www. austinstreetcottages.com/ Azalea Inn, 903-665-2500, 203 E Dixon St, www.azaleainn.net/ Black Swan, 903-665-7023, 210 W Austin St, www.visittheblackswan.com/ Captain’s Castle, 903-806-0518, 403 E Walker St, captainscastle. com/ Carriage House, 903-665-9511, 401 N Polk St, carriagehousejefferson.com/ Claiborne House, 903-665-8800, 312 S Alley St, claibornehousebnb.com/ Delta Street Inn, 903-665-2929, 206 E Delta St, www.deltastreetinn.com/ French Cottages, 808-391-0962, 408 Houston St, www.frenchcottagesjefferson.com

HOTELS

Excelsior Hotel, 903-665-2513,

211 W Austin St, theexcelsiorhouse.com Executive Inn, 903-665-3700, 200 S Walcott St, executiveinnjefferson.com/ Historic Jefferson Hotel, 901468-3551, 124 W. Austin St., www.historicjefferson.com Historic Kahn Hotel, 903-6014434, 123 W Austin St, www. kahnsaloon.com/ OYO Hotel Jefferson, 628-2394299, 400 S Walcott St

RENTALS

Bessie’s Landing, 972-247-3557,

Green Gables of Jefferson,

903-407-1956, 304 W Lafayette St, greengablesofjefferson.com House of the Seasons, 903665-8000, 409 S Alley St, www. houseoftheseasons.com/ Kennedy Manor, 903-665-0772, 217 W Lafayette St, www.kennedymanor.com/

207 S Alley St, www.airbnb.com/ rooms/17824506 Heather’s Guesthaus, 936661-5631, 107 N Main St, www. airbnb.com/rooms/13165544 Mama Dean’s Place, 903-7206460, 404 E Dixon St, www. airbnb.com/rooms/30553956 McGarity’s Upstairs Inn, 903-

Places to Stay continued 665-0121, 208 W Dallas St, www. airbnb.com/rooms/32900530 Sara Jane Cottages, 903-2410683, 306 W Austin St, www. airbnb.com/rooms/12874039 The French Townhouse, 502 E Walker St, www.airbnb.com/ rooms/22748241 The Guesthouse, 214-324-3063, 509 W Austin St, www.airbnb. com/rooms/19294423 The Magnolias, 903-407-7959, 209 E Broadway St, www.vrbo. com/1404252 Villas on Vale, 903-452-1910, 105 S. Vale St., www.Airbnb.com/ rooms/49140615

RV PARKING

Diamond Don’s RV Park, 903742-2041, 903-445-9796

or 866-398-2038 , 1602 State Hwy 49 East Jefferson, TX 75657, diamonddonempire.com Jefferson RV Park, 903- 431-

0043, 610 E. Broadway St, www. jeffersoniceexpress-rvpark.com/ City of Jefferson RV Park, 903665-3922, Located behind the courthouse

Growing Up Jefferson: A Lifetime in a Park

...Continued From Page 47

hill and celebrated the first time I did it without having to get off and push part of the way. But at the top of that hill on a misty autumn morning, I could almost see Jefferson Elementary School, just the way it appeared to me in 1958. The steps that are there today are the same steps I traveled on my way to the first grade, that concrete retaining wall is the same one I demonstrated my balance to my third grade girlfriend Ginger, and that graveled entrance beyond the chain is the same one that I followed to park my bike on the bike rack. The memories rushed back and I let them surround me, even after all this time. My story about the Lions Club erecting Christmas trees each December is this: I’ve been told that often, when they are attempting to stabilize those trees, they will drive a post in the ground for support. Many times they hit the concrete sidewalks that still remain just barely under the surface, the same sidewalks that were there that I remember. It occurred to me that memories must be a little like that. They never leave, but remain just barely under the surface.

Jefferson native David Lance at the Lion’s Club Swimming Pool. Photo from Bobby Bollman via “You Know You’re from Jefferson Texas When” FB Group. And when something, anything really, like a song, a picture or a name, evokes it, that memory surfaces. If that happens to you, enjoy it, cherish it and protect it. It’s precious.

3rd Antique Tractor Show Comes to Jefferson

...Continued From Page 13

and restaurants. Jefferson also offers boat rides, canoe & kayak rental, carriage rides, gemstone mining & panning, and other attractions. Dine, Shop, Stay and Play. There is a lot to do in Jefferson! Visit DiamondDonEmpire.com for

more information. The Diamond Don Empire family of companies, owned by Diamond Don Rainey and Francene DePrez Rainey, includes Diamond Don Racing, Diamond Don RV Park, Diamond Don Event Center and Historic Jefferson Railway.

Discover Jefferson

& Marion County

A Publication of Marion County Media v2, I3

July, August, September 2021

Discover Jefferson & Marion County is a quarterly publication of Marion County Media which also publishes the Jefferson Jimplecute, the 4th Oldest Newspaper in Texas, and the Marion County Herald, an online publication, and the Jefferson Convention and Visitors Bureau. For Advertising Information Contact: Marion County Media, 115 N Polk St, Jefferson TX 75657, 903-665-2462, marioncountyherald.com Never miss an issue of Discover Jefferson & Marion County! To Subscribe, visit www.marioncoherald.com Then Select Discover Jefferson & Marion County Then Select Subscribe. Or you can mail $20 to Jefferson Jimplecute Attn DJMC, 115 N Polk St., Jefferson, TX 75657 , and each quarter the latest edition will be mailed to you for a full year (4 Issues). © 2021 Marion County Media, Jefferson Jimplecute & Marion County Herald. All Rights Reserved

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Fresh Milled Peanut Butter in 12 Delicious Flavors! Cookies • Ice Cream • Candies • Fudge Jefferson’s Peanut Butter Emporium

NuttysPB.com 123 N Polk St, Jefferson • 903-664-7021 55