Things to Do in Jefferson, Texas

The Jefferson Historical Museum resides in the 1888 stately red brick building that once served as the Jefferson Post Office and the Federal Courthouse. It contains artifacts pertaining to the history of Jefferson and of Marion County.

The museum has four floors of exhibits, which include 1880s homestead furnishings, art, antique guns, needlework, dolls, crockery, quilts, fine porcelain, china and silver, and Caddo Indian artifacts. On the museum property there is a replica of an early 1900s railway depot that contains an HO gauge model railroad that took over thirty years to build. The railroad has 193 feet of track, and is a miniature of a 1950s Texas and Pacific Railroads train.

Address: Jefferson Historical Museum, 223 W. Austin, Jefferson, TX 75657, Phone: 903-665-2775

The Grove is a historical house and private residence in Jefferson that was built in 1861 in the Greek Revival architectural style. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been featured in many television shows about the paranormal, as it is said that The Grove is haunted. In the Grove’s emporium, visitors can buy books with a haunted house theme.

Over the years, the house has been a home to many families, and at one point it was a restaurant. It has been remodeled to resemble a fine 1860s home with period furniture and décor. Hour-long tours of the house led by the current owner are held on weekends; reservations are required for all tours. Visitors are also welcome to visit the Grove’s property, which has a particularly nice butterfly garden.

Address: The Grove, 405 Moseley Street, Jefferson, TX 75657, Phone: 903-665-8018

Caddo Lake State Park is a wilderness of swamps and bayous amongst cypress trees hung with Spanish moss. The State Park is located 13 miles southeast of Jefferson near the town of Karnack. The 26,000-acre lake has over seventy types of fish in it, so it is perfect for anglers, who catch mostly largemouth and white bass as well as crappie.

Visitors may bring their own kayaks or canoes for exploring the lake’s 50 miles of paddling trails, or they can rent a boat at the park. The park is full of wildlife, including alligators, as well as armadillos, turtles, minks, beavers, and white-tailed deer. Caddo Lake State Park has camping facilities and cabins for rent, and it is perfect for picnicking and hiking.

Address: Caddo Lake State Park, 245 Park Road 2, Karnack, TX 75661, Phone: 903-679-3351

The Famous Howe Truss Train Trestle was originally built in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania by the Phoenix Bridge Company back in the year 1897 and was later installed in 1907 in Jefferson, Texas. The “Howe Truss” bridge design was introduced by William Howe. One of the main reasons people visit this famous bridge is the LED light show that takes place from dusk to dawn every evening. This beautiful light project was installed on the "Howe Truss" Train Trestle in 2018 by Longview Lights and first premiered on July 4th of that year to more than 1,500 people.

The artifacts in theMuseum of Measurement and Time were once the private collection of Jefferson residents Johnny and Edith Ingram. To this day, the elderly couple oversees the museum and gives excellent tours to those who visit.

The museum has a reputation for excellence and for eclectic items. They have over 400 clocks, mostly American made, from the period 1700-1900; more than 1,000 salt and pepper shakers, some of them practical, others whimsical; rare and vintage maps from the 19^th century; and a large number of items relating to surveying. Johnny Ingram was a Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor who became interested in the early period of surveying and started a collection of early surveying tools.

Address: Museum of Measurement and Time, 301 North Polk Street, Jefferson, TX 75657, Phone: 903-665-6668

Paranormal television shows and books consider Jefferson, Texas to be one of the most haunted places in the United States. The ghost walks, which are given on Friday and Saturday evening, acquaint visitors with the violent occurrences in Jefferson’s past on a walk through some of the town’s most haunted locales.

Unlike other ghost tours, the historian who leads this one has managed to gain access to some of the buildings, and the walk in the dark through the Old Mill is, by all accounts, very creepy. The Historic Jefferson Ghost Walk tour lasts two hours and paints a colorful history of Jefferson and the people who met their untimely ends in the town. Comfortable shoes are recommended, and reservations are required.

Address: Historic Jefferson Ghost Walk, Tour leaves from: The Sandwich Shoppe, 101 S. Market Street, Jefferson, TX 75657, Phone: 903-601-3375

Lake O’ The Pines is a 17,000 acre reservoir of Big Cypress Bayou. It has extensive parks with tall pines along its shores and an excellent fishery that has stocked the lake with large mouth, white, and spotted bass as well as catfish, crappies, sunfish, and pickerel.

Alley Creek Park and Brushy Creek Park are the best of the parks for camping overnight, Cedar Springs Park has a lovely picnic area, and Lakeside Park and Johnson Creek Park have great beaches and swimming. The park has marinas and boat ramps for people who bring their own watercraft. Pontoon boat rentals are available at Johnson Creek Marina.

Address: Lake O’ The Pines, Contact info: 2669 Fm 726, Jefferson, TX 75657, Phone: 903-665-2336