Founded in 1845 as a steamboat port at the entryway to western markets from the Red River, Jefferson was a thriving center of trade until the steamboat traffic dried up in the 1870s. During its heyday, the town monopolized the shipping of cotton from all points west for 150 miles. Jefferson was the unofficial capital of East Texas, but it was also typical of boom towns in general. For this topical examination of a frontier town, Bagur draws from many government documents, but also from newspaper ads and plats. These sources provide intimate details of the lives of the early citizens of Jefferson, Texas. Their story is of interest to both local and state historians as well as to the many readers interested in capturing the flavor of life in old-time East Texas. “Astoundingly complete and a model for local history research, with appeal far beyond readers who have specific interests in Jefferson.”—Fred Tarpley, author of Jefferson: Riverport to the Southwest

Journal published by the Texas State Historical Association containing articles written by members of the Junior Historians about various aspects of Texas history.

Photograph of the Joseph House in Jefferson, Texas.

Photograph of the Joseph House in Jefferson, Texas.

Photograph of the Joseph House in Jefferson, Texas.

Photograph of the Joseph House in Jefferson, Texas.

Photograph of the Joseph House in Jefferson, Texas.

Photograph of the Joseph House in Jefferson, Texas.

Video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

Photograph of the Old Jackson Place (located at Route 1 Box 320, 3 miles West of Jefferson) in Marion County, Texas.

Photograph of the Old Jackson Place (located at Route 1 Box 320, 3 miles West of Jefferson) in Marion County, Texas.

Photograph of the bell from T&P train #715 on display in the Jefferson Court House Museum. Written below the image are "[sic] Jefferson, Texas Mar 10th 1976 T&P bell off #715 - Jefferson Court House Museum" and "D. Watson."

Weekly newspaper from Jefferson, Texas that includes local, state and national religious news.

Weekly newspaper from Jefferson, Texas that includes local, state and national religious news.

Weekly newspaper from Jefferson, Texas that includes local, state and national religious news.

Photograph of T&P train #600 wrecked in Jefferson, Texas due to a broken rail. A man can be seen to the right of the wreckage inspecting the train. Written below the image are "Jefferson, Texas Mar 15 1946 (broken rail) #600 2-10-4" and "R. H. Carlson."

Photograph of train #600 in Jefferson, Texas. There are men working on the front end of the train as well as a large group of men behind it. Two cranes can be seen on either side of the engine. Written below the image are "[sic] Jefferson, Texas Mar 15 1946 (Broken Rail) #600 2-10-4" and "R. H. Carlson."

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Gerald Mann, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Maximum compensation for the County Judge of Marion County.

Weekly newspaper from Jefferson, Texas that includes local, state and national news along with some advertising.

Weekly newspaper from Jefferson, Texas that includes local, state and national news along with some advertising.

Weekly newspaper from Jefferson, Texas that includes local, state and national news along with some advertising.

Inventory of records of Marion County housed in the Marion County Courthouse as of 1936. Begins with a historical sketch of the county along with information on the housing, care, and accessibility of the records. Describes the records of the Commissioners Court, County Clerk as Recorder, District Court, County Court, Justices of the Peace, Sheriff, Constable, Tax Assessor-Collector, Board of Equalization, County Treasurer, County Board of School Trustees, County School Superintendent, and County Surveyor, along with selected records of the city of Jefferson. References constitutional provisions, declarations, and ordinances of constitutional conventions, and laws specifically applicable to Marion County. Includes a bibliography as well as chronological and subject and entry indexes.

Weekly newspaper from Jefferson, Texas that includes local, state and national news along with some advertising.

Weekly newspaper from Jefferson, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.