PINEY WOODS REGION: JEFFERSON TEXAS

JEFFERSON TEXAS

Map of the Jefferson Area & Additional Jefferson Information

Jefferson is on the Holiday Trail of Lights

Downtown Jefferson Texas In 2010 Jefferson is known as the Bed & Breakfast Capital of Texas.

From 1845 til 1872 Jefferson was known as one of the most important ports in Texas.

But, in 1873, the invention of an explosive in the form of nitroglycerin made possible the removal of a gigantic log jam known at the Great Red River Raft, which the Caddo Indians claimed has always existed.

The Great Red River Raft acted as a dam, elevating the level of the Red River, Caddo Lake and the Big Cypress Bayou, thus permitting commercial riverboats to float to Jefferson from the Mississippi River, connecting Jefferson to towns like New Orleans and St. Louis.

And then the Army Corps of Engineers blew up the log jam, sending Jefferson into an economic spiral with its population plummeting.

Jefferson floundered for a long time and then staged a comeback based on tourism, with antique dealers, bed & breakfasts and 19th century theme restaurants.

Jefferson is flanked by Caddo Lake to the east and Lake O' the Pines to the west. Caddo Lake is the only natural lake in Texas, it consists of a labyrinth of bayous and channels. Caddo Lake State Park is at the north end of the 32,500 acre lake. Lake O' the Pines is about half the size of Caddo Lake, with excellent fishing, swimming, boating and other water sports.

You'll find plenty of charming places to stay in and around Jefferson.

Jefferson Texas General Store Among your choices are Ashley Mountain (overlooking Lake O' the Pines), Azalea Inn, Baker Street Inn, Bell's View of The Bayou on Caddo Lake, Blue Bayou Inn on Caddo Lake, Breckenridge Garden Cottages, Bullfrog Marina on Lake O' the Pines, Caddo Cottage on Caddo Lake, Captain's Castle & Carriage House Inn, Captain's Quarters, Chapelridge B & B, Charles House B & B, Claiborne House, Clarksville Street Inn, Cottonwood Inn B & B, Excelsior House Hotel, Faded Rose, Falling Leaves Inn, Gingerbread House & Honey Do Inn, Governor's House, Hale House, Hodge Plantation, Holcomb Lodge at Lake O' the Pines, House of the Seasons, Ice House Guest Cottage, Kennedy Manor, Maison Bayou, McKay House (rated as one of the "10 Most Romantic Inns in America, guests have included Lady Bird Johnson, Alex Haley and Fabio), Pace House, Pine Needle Lodge on Caddo Lake, Pride House, Secrets of Lake Claborn, The Daniel House, The Jefferson Hotel (1861 masterpiece in heart of the Riverport District), The Town House B & B, Twin Oaks Country Inn, White Oak Manor B & B and Winborn Haven & Guest Cottage.

Popular Jefferson area place to eat are Diamond Bessie's Saloon & Dance Hall, Plantation Restaurant, The Bakery, Bayou Landing Restaurant, Galley Restaurant and Sleepy Hollow Catfish & Steakhouse.

For more details about Jefferson's lodging, restaurants, shopping and other attractions, visit the official Jefferson website.

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