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Historic Cemetery Symbols: Why Are These Men Chained Together in Death?

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Strange and unusual historic grave in Jefferson, Texas

Here’s a grave marker that is quite strange and unique. In fact, I’ve never come across a similar arrangement! The following is an adapted excerpt from my book of historic cemetery tales called 6 Feet Under Texas.  (And to learn more about Understanding Cemetery Symbols, check out my book.)

Unique grave marker in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Unique grave marker in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

East Texas Frenemies

Although they lived roughly 80 years before the word was coined, it’s hard to think of a better example for the word “frenemy” than the lives of Jesse Robinson and Bill Rose.

The two men lived in the east Texas town of Jefferson, where Bill Rose ran a blacksmith shop. As for Jesse Robinson, although he claimed to be a lawman and detective, it’s not quite clear how he actually earned a living.

Not only were both men known criminals and drunkards, but each had done time for murder, and were often seen around town together. In 1871, their rough and tumble reputation was enough to cause the local paper to refer to Jesse Robinson and Bill Rose as “dangerous and bad men, either drunk or sober.”

Deadly “chain” of events

According to Angels of Oakwood: Jefferson’s Historic Cemetery by Mitchel Whitington, on April 4, 1871, Robinson bumped into Rose in downtown Jefferson, Texas. Robinson offered to buy Rose a drink, but his friend turned him down. In fact, it was a bit more than just a simple “no.” Rose told Robinson that he was giving up whiskey entirely in an attempt to improve his character.

Perhaps Robinson was having a bad day, and maybe he was worried about losing a valuable drinking buddy. In any case, Rose’s refusal pissed Robinson off so much that he chased after him, screaming and yelling about how he was going to kill him.

All over a drink!

Double Homicide in Jefferson, Texas

The incident must have shaken Rose up, because the blacksmith went home and grabbed a gun before returning to his shop. Moments later, Robinson dropped by brandishing a six-shooter, eager to follow through on his death threat.

Seeing that his friend was in no mood to banter, the blacksmith fired a single shot at Robinson. As he ran towards the back door, Rose stopped him with a shot to the leg. As Robinson writhed on the floor in agony, Rose continued shooting his buddy at close range – six shots in all.

Shortly after murdering his pal, Rose staggered out of the blacksmith shop and into the street. As he began coughing up blood, he discovered a bullet wound in his chest and realized that he, too, had been shot. A passerby allegedly heard him mutter, “That rascal has killed me!” before Rose keeled over. He was carried home, but died shortly after.

Unique grave marker in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Unique grave marker in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

Cemetery Symbols: Chains

Jesse Robinson and Bill Rose were laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery in Jefferson, Texas. Not only were they buried side by side, but according to local lore, their coffins are chained together, too! Of course, whether that is true or not is impossible to tell from a casual visit to this historic graveyard.

However, as you see from the photos I’ve shared in this article, instead of a headstone, each man has a cast iron post at his grave, with a chain connecting the two. The posts are actually rather fancy; each was crafted to resemble a thick branch with ivy climbing up the sides.

Want to keep up with me? Also, would you like a FREE guide to historic cemetery symbolism? If so, sign up for my newsletter by clicking the image below:

I’ve written about the symbolic meaning of Ivy before which you can read here. As for the symbolic meaning of chains, a 3-link chain often refers to the Odd Fellows fraternal order.

In addition, I have also heard that when an actual chain is used to mark a grave it may mean that the deceased what a slave, and that each link of the chain represents a year spent in slavery! (See example here: Grave Symbolism Chains)

What are your thoughts regarding the symbology here?

Locals I spoke to claim this heavy chain in Jefferson’s historic Oakwood Cemetery represents the strong connection between Jesse Robinson and Bill Rose. After all, not only did they live similar lives, but they died by each other’s hands. (I wonder if the townspeople were inspired by the infamous chains that Jacob Marley was cursed with in Charles Dickens’ classic tale, A Christmas Carol?)

And that’s it! No headstone, no marker, no other item at all to label the place where these two ruffians are buried or to explain the deadly chain of events that sent them there!

Mitchel Whitington at History, Haunts & Legends in Jefferson, TX (photo by Tui Snider)
Mitchel Whitington at History, Haunts & Legends in Jefferson, TX (photo by Tui Snider)

Read more about this historic graveyards

For this week’s post, I used Angels of Oakwood: Jefferson’s Historic Cemetery  as my main source. It’s a wonderful book by Mitchel Whitington, who is a prolific author and historian who lives in Jefferson, Texas.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Mitchel at the History, Haunts & Legends Paranormal Conference in Jefferson, Texas. Aside from being well-versed in local lore, Mitchel is a lot of fun. I highly recommend his books!

Read more about Jefferson, Texas

Jefferson, Texas is a picturesque town chock full of fascinating history and haunted lore. To read more about fun things to see and do in Jefferson, check out these posts:

Here’s a photo essay I wrote called: Jefferson, Texas: Simple Pleasures, Ghosts, & Bigfoot in the Little Easy.

The river plays such a big part in Jefferson’s history, that it’s well worth taking a ride on the Turning Basin Riverboat Tour.

For a luxurious stay in the heart of town, check out: My Relaxing Getaway at the Black Swan B&B

To be swept up in history and elegance, check out: I Felt Like Scarlet O’Hara at the Excelsior House Hotel 

Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism:

I recently wrote a field guide to historic cemetery symbolism. You can find it on Amazon by clicking here: Understanding Cemetery Symbols. It’s my goal to create a handy-dandy pocket guide for taphophiles, genealogists, ghost hunters, and anyone else interested in the historic graveyard symbols that have become forgotten over the years. I hope you enjoy it!

Which symbols are you curious about?

Let me know in the comments if there is a certain symbol that you are curious about. Also, if you would like to know when the cemetery symbolism guide is available for purchase, scroll down and sign up for my weekly newsletter! I look forward to hearing from you!white-line-separator

Hey, you! Want to come along for the ride?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: For updates on my offbeat travels, books, & other fun stuff (such as postcards from the road!) subscribe to my newsletter using the form below. Each week, I’ll let you know the Historic Cemetery Symbol of the Week, who Teal Gray & I are interviewing on our show that night, and any other fun or interesting news. You can also mix & mingle with me by clicking this link & “liking” my Facebook Author Page:

Filed Under: Cemeteries & Symbolism, Historic Cemeteries, Travel Photo Essays Tagged With: angels of oakwood, cemetery, east Texas, grave, graveyard, historic cemetery symbols, jefferson, mitchel whitington, odd fellows, q1, slavery, Texas, xmas

Review: Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas

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Stepping into History

The Excelsior House Hotel in the historic district of Jefferson, Texas has quite a pedigree: Not only has this Texas State Landmark been in continuous operation since the 1850’s, but it’s also listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

If you are a history buff, you do not want to miss the Excelsior House Hotel. Sure, just like any accommodation these days, every room has a private bath, a television, and WIFI, but there’s something *special* about this east Texas venue, something I’ve never quite experienced at any other historic hotel:

I truly felt transported while staying there, as if I’d slipped back to the 1880’s for a day!

It wasn’t just me, the chronically daydreaming writer who loves imagining what it was like to live in other times; my husband, Larry, felt the “time shift,” too. In fact, we’ve been puzzling over the experience ever since our recent stay. We visited during the History, Haunts & Legends paranormal conference, where I gave a talk on Historic Cemetery Symbols) And while we’re still not quite sure what created this unusual sensation, we agree that the hotel’s history is certainly a major ingredient, so I’ll start there:

Historic Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Historic Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

History Entwined

The history of the Excelsior House Hotel and the city of Jefferson are deeply entwined. In the mid to late 1800’s, Jefferson, Texas was a glamorous inland trading center, with all the virtue and vice that accompanies a port town.

During this boom, Jefferson’s population swelled to 30,000 and its port was second only to Galveston. The city sent steamboats laden with cotton, timber, beef, and more to New Orleans, and received a variety of goods in return. Its location in northeast Texas made the Port of Jefferson the northernmost stop in a trade route to and from the Big Easy.

Jefferson, Texas a.k.a. The Little Easy

Even today, the influence of New Orleans provides an enchanting overlay to the city of Jefferson. With its red brick streets, hitching posts, carriage rides, cast iron railings, and Greek Revival architecture, Jefferson’s historic downtown could easily pass for late 1880’s New Orleans in a Hollywood movie. The city has even been celebrating Mardi Gras for over a century! For this reason, some folks call Jefferson, Texas the “Little Easy,” and I can see why.

Historic Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Historic Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

Built by a Steamboat Captain

The Excelsior House Hotel is built on property once owned by a steamboat captain named William Perry. This land was a gift from the City of Jefferson in 1846, a thank you for all the hard work Perry did to keep the Big Cypress Bayou navigable.

When you realize the importance of that bayou, the city’s gratitude is understandable. From the 1840’s until the 1870’s, Jefferson’s economy was heavily dependent on trade with New Orleans.

Without that waterway, Jefferson would have remained an isolated village in east Texas rather than the vibrant port town it blossomed into.

Excelsior House Hotel – ideal location for visitors

Although Captain Perry built a family home on the property the city gave him, its central location made it ideal for visitors. So while he had not set out to build a hotel, Perry began renting rooms to merchants who passed through town. Even today, with the Jefferson Historical Museum next door and the Jay Gould Railroad car and carriage rides directly across the street, the Excelsior House Hotel is ideally located for visitors. Many restaurants, antique stores, and a variety of family-owned boutiques and shops are also within easy walking distance.

Guest register features famous patrons of the Excelsior House Hotel (photo by Tui Snider)
Guest register features famous patrons of the Excelsior House Hotel (photo by Tui Snider)

From boomtown to time capsule

Meanwhile, back at the bayou: In 1873, the US Army Corps of Engineers dismantled a huge log jam downstream from Jefferson, Texas. The Great Red River Raft, as it was called, had been around as long as anyone could remember, including Native Americans. Unfortunately for Jefferson, removing the log jam shifted water levels throughout the region, draining so much water out of the Big Cypress Bayou that it was no longer navigable by steamboats.

This meant no more trade with New Orleans! 

As for Captain Perry, who knows? He might have become the east Texas version of Conrad Hilton had he not been murdered in 1868…

As the boomtown years faded and the city of Jefferson fell into economic decline, Captain Perry’s hotel passed from owner to owner. The good news is that a great number of historic buildings from that era remain standing in Jefferson, Texas. The city’s untimely demise is the modern-day tourist and history buff’s gain!

Saved from the wrecking ball

Even so, by 1961 the Excelsior House Hotel was in dire need of repair. In fact, the historic hotel might have met the wrecking ball were it not for the forward-thinking members of the Jessie Allen Wise Garden Club. Not only did they purchase and remodel the building, but they continued to rent out rooms during the renovation, which was completed by the club members themselves.

So despite a few ups and downs, the Excelsior House Hotel has been in continuous operation since 1858, and the Jessie Allen Wise Garden Club continues to own and operate the hotel to this day.

Enjoy breakfast in the ballroom of the Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Enjoy breakfast in the ballroom of the Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

The Excelsior House Hotel today

Today, the fully restored Excelsior House Hotel is an eye-catching whitewashed building adorned with cast iron railings in the heart of Jefferson’s historic district. The comfortable lobby features the original front desk, and is filled with hotel memorabilia. Rather like a small museum, the hotel features antiques throughout, many of which are leftovers from when Captain Perry owned the property.

Famous Clientele includes 3 presidents

Over the years, the Excelsior House Hotel has played host to many famous guests, including Oscar Wilde, Ladybird Johnson, and 3 US presidents (Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, and Lyndon Baines Johnson.) Don’t believe me? See for yourself; many pages from the hotel’s guest register are on display in the front lobby.

Excelsior House Hotel Tours

Whether you stay at the Excelsior House Hotel or not, a tour of the building is worth your time. Hotel volunteers also offer tours of the Atalanta, Jay Gould’s private railroad car, which is located directly across the street. Both tours are given by volunteers, so you will need to check with the front desk clerk to see if they are available during your visit or not.

Gracious staff and old world charm

I thoroughly enjoyed the Excelsior House Hotel! From the moment Larry and I stepped inside, I could tell it was going to be a memorable stay. The atmosphere was welcoming without being intrusive, by which I mean that the hotel staff left us to our own thoughts until we asked questsions. (I mention this because I have certain friends who claim they could never stay at anything other than a big chain hotel because they are afraid the staff at a privately owned venue will follow them the whole time!)

The entire staff, from the desk clerk to the servers at breakfast, was extremely courteous. It nearly felt as if they had taken an old school etiquette course! Each one I spoke to was knowledgeable and exuded a well-deserved pride in their hotel and its history.

Enjoy breakfast in the ballroom of the Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Enjoy breakfast in the ballroom of the Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

Transported in time by the Plantation Breakfast

The Plantation Breakfast was an enchanting surprise, and not simply because it was mighty tasty. In retrospect, Larry and I agree that this experience was another key ingredient in making us feel as if we had stepped back into time.  So even if you’re not an early riser, or a habitual breakfast eater, I highly recommend making an exception for the Plantation Breakfast at the Excelsior House Hotel.

The Plantation Breakfast offers a taste of the Old South, literally and figuratively. During our stay, the menu consisted of fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, fried ham, grits, biscuits, and orange blossom muffins elegantly presented on fine dining ware.

When I wandered downstairs that morning, I wasn’t quite sure where breakfast was served, so I asked the front desk clerk, who ushered us to a nearby sitting room. “Help yourselves to a cup of coffee,” she instructed, “they’ll call you into the ballroom shortly.”

I don’t know about you, but in the life I lead, I am rarely “called” into any room, let alone a historic ballroom with a French chandelier, marble busts, oil paintings, two grand pianos, velvet couches, and a cypress wood floor. We were the only ones dining at that hour, and with the wait staff bustling around us as if they were our house servants; well, it was delightfully disconcerting.

I felt like Scarlet O’Hara

I truly felt transported, as if I’d suddenly become Scarlet O’Hara overnight. It’s hard to describe, but it was a lot of fun. (Plus, those orange blossom muffins are to die for!) I felt as if i were in a costume drama and that everyone else was in character!

After our meal, Larry and I lingered in the ballroom, snapping photos and pretending the Excelsior House Hotel was our family home. It was easy to imagine galas, meetings and other festivities taking place here over the years. In fact, you can still host your own if you wish! The ballroom is available for those wishing to host receptions, luncheons or other special events, and the hotel courtyard is a popular site for weddings.

So the next time you are in east Texas, I highly recommend a stay at the historic Excelsior House Hotel! Read on for how to book a room, and for tips on visiting Jefferson, Texas, including when to visit and what to see and do while you are there:

Plan your stay at the Excelsior House Hotel

For more information about the Excelsior House Hotel including room rates, available dates, and how to book a room, click here. (And when you book your room, be sure to tell them that Tui sent you!)
Address: Excelsior House Hotel, 211 West Austin Street, Jefferson, Texas 75657

NOTE: While accommodations were provided free of charge, the opinions expressed in this review are wholly my own. Click here to read the full TuiSnider.com Privacy Policy. 

 

Beautiful garden courtyard at the Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Beautiful garden courtyard at the Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

Jefferson, TX – What to see and do?

As I mentioned earlier, the little town of Jefferson is chock full of fun things to see and do, and the Excelsior House Hotel is right in the middle of it all! Not only is this little town full of antique shops, museums, and restaurants, but consider taking a guided trip down the bayou, or enjoying a mug of 5 cent coffee at the Jefferson General Store.

Jefferson, TX Festivals – When to visit?

Jefferson, Texas makes a great getaway any time of the year, but you may want to plan your trip around one of the many festivals that take place here throughout the year, including:

Jefferson Candlelight Tour of Homes – This annual event offers candlit tours of historic homes led by docents in period clothing (think top hats and hoopskirts!)

History, Haunts & Legends – This twice annual East Texas paranormal conference takes place each April and each November. It was the main reason for our stay, actually. I was invited to give my Historic Cemetery Symbolism talk there, and decided to turn my stay in Jefferson, Texas into a much-needed writing research trip.

Jefferson Pilgrimage – This is a weekend long historical celebration in which Civil War buffs use the entire town as a backdrop for elaborate reenactments, including the Naval Battle of Port Jefferson, and the Diamond Bessie Murder Trial Play.

Burn Run – Motorcycle Rally This annual fall biker rally raises money for burn victims.

Mardi Gras Upriver – Jefferson, Texas has been celebrating Mardi Gras

Marion County Fair – A good old-fashioned East Texas county fair.

Taste of Jefferson, Texas – Lively annual celebration of regional restaurants.

Want to read more like this?


To read about more weird, offbeat, and overlooked places, check out my best-selling travel guide: 
UNEXPECTED TEXAS: Your Guide to Offbeat & Overlooked History, Day Trips & Fun Things to do near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For ghost hunting hot spots, check out my best-selling travel guide to haunted places: 
PARANORMAL TEXAS: Your Travel Guide to Haunted Places near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For a strange-but-true tale of Texas history, check out this bizarre piece of West Texas history: 
The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber

 


white-line-separator

Hey, you! Want to come along for the ride?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: For updates on my offbeat travels, books, & other fun stuff (such as postcards from the road!) subscribe to my newsletter using the form below. Each week, I’ll let you know the Historic Cemetery Symbol of the Week, who Teal Gray & I are interviewing on our show that night, and any other fun or interesting news. You can also mix & mingle with me by clicking this link & “liking” my Facebook Author Page:

Filed Under: Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, Hotel and B&B Reviews, My Reviews, Travel Photo Essays Tagged With: B&B, east Texas, festivals, haunted hotel, historic, hotel, jefferson, Oct15, places to stay, q1, review, road trip, Texas, things to do, Tui Snider, TX, weekend getaway

Review: Black Swan B&B in Jefferson, Texas

by 3 Comments

Relaxing Getaway

If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway in east Texas, consider booking a room at the Black Swan B&B. So many of Jefferson’s restaurants, museums, parks, and stores are within easy walking distance of this charming inn that you could simply park your car when you arrive and leave it in the same spot until you’re ready to drive home!

Black Swan B&B in Jefferson, TX (photo by Tui Snider)
Black Swan B&B in Jefferson, TX (photo by Tui Snider)

Perfectly located in the heart of Jefferson, TX

My husband, Larry, and I recently stayed at the Black Swan B&B in historic Jefferson, Texas. What a treat! We were in town so I could give my Historic Cemetery Symbols talk at the History, Haunts & Legends paranormal conference. We spent the rest of our time exploring Jefferson.

This little East Texas town is chock full of fun things to see and do, and the Black Swan B&B is right in the middle of it all!

With the historic Jay Gould Railroad car on one side, carriage rides on the other, and both the Jefferson Historical Museum and the historic Excelsior House Hotel immediately across the street, the Black Swan bed and breakfast is literally surrounded with fun things to see and do in the town of Jefferson, Texas. In addition, several restaurants, antique stores, and a variety of family-owned boutiques and shops are all within walking distance.

Black Swan B&B in Jefferson, TX (photo by Tui Snider)
Front porch at the Black Swan B&B in Jefferson, TX (photo by Tui Snider)

Black Swan B&B Suites: Spacious and cozy

Despite its perfect location, the Black Swan B&B accommodations were so sumptuous that my husband and I were tempted to simply hang out at the house all day!

For starters, our suite (one of two at the house) was 500 square feet and had 13 windows. Innkeepers, Christi and Darrell Gaither, have done an amazing remodeling and interior decorating job which allows their historic Greek Revival home to retain its character, while adding modern luxuries such as HDTV, complimentary WIFI and numerous thoughtful touches throughout (such as an in-room Keurig coffee maker.)

Black Swan B&B in Jefferson, TX (photo by Tui Snider)
View from the upstairs balcony at the Black Swan B&B in Jefferson, TX (photo by Tui Snider)

So many amenities

Other amenities at the Black Swan B&B include guest robes, hair dryer, iron, ironing board, a mini-frig (perfect for leftovers), and a very pampering selection of Lord & Mayfair toiletries. (If we had stayed longer, I would have definitely enjoyed a soak in the claw foot tub.)

If there’s nothing on TV you like, or you’re simply in the mood to kick back and watch a film, there’s a DVD player with an assortment of movies to choose from, as well as a selection of board games for you to enjoy. I think a game of Scrabble out on the porch is mandatory for my next stay at the Black Swan B&B!

Climate control

It can be hard to heat and cool a historic home, but the Gaither’s remodel includes a much-needed update to the insulation and a/c. During our stay the weather shifted from rainy, hot and humid to chilly. Even so, the climate control inside the Black Swan B&B kept us comfy and cozy the entire time – not an easy feat in Texas!

Black Swan B&B in Jefferson, TX (photo by Tui Snider)
The sitting area in our luxurious suite: Black Swan B&B in Jefferson, TX (photo by Tui Snider)

Nightly Happy Hour for Guests

One of the unique features to a stay at the Black Swan B&B is the nightly happy hour for guests in the Gaither’s private wine bar. Each evening from 5 to 6:00 p.m., Christi and Darrell set out snacks and beverages on the bar and guests are invited to help themselves. It’s a low-key and relaxed chance to mix and mingle with other guests and have a chance to unwind before deciding how to spend the rest of the evening. In addition to red and white wine, iced tea, and water were also available. Nightly nibbles can vary, but ours included a tasty selection of cheese, salami, fruit and nuts.

Since the Gaithers do not reside on-site and the other guests were staying at the Carriage House (a separate property that Gaithers also manage), my husband and I had the house to ourselves after happy hour wound down.

It was a beautiful evening and we took full advantage of the “leftover” wine and snacks that Darrell “twisted our arms” into taking with us onto the upstairs balcony. As the sun set on the red brick streets and shadows grew long through the cast iron railings of the hotel across the street, it was easy to pretend we were sitting out on our porch 100 years ago. Even the sound of passing trains added to this magical evening, and while munching on one of the delicious brownies that Christi had left out for dessert I had one of those “this is the life” moments that is the goal of any good road trip getaway. To say that I felt utterly spoiled during our stay at the Black Swan B&B is an understatement!

 

Black Swan B&B in Jefferson, TX (photo by Tui Snider)
Cozy bed in our luxusrious suite: Black Swan B&B in Jefferson, TX (photo by Tui Snider)

Black Swan B&B breakfast!

Although the Gaithers live off-site, the couple returns in the morning to serve a tasty breakfast to their guests at 9:00 a.m. The menu varies, but on the morning of our stay we were treated to a sausage frittata, baked apples, and biscuits. The portions were ample and carried us straight through to dinner.

The biscuits were especially good – so fluffy and light. The Gaithers served them with butter and blueberry jam, which may sound simple, but it tasted absolutely decadent. My husband and I happily enjoyed two biscuits each. (I would have eaten three if I’d had any more room in my belly!)

Black Swan B&B in Jefferson, TX (photo by Tui Snider)
Bathtub and another sitting area in our suite: Black Swan B&B in Jefferson, TX (photo by Tui Snider)

Jefferson, TX – What to see and do?

As I mentioned earlier, the little town of Jefferson is chock full of fun things to see and do, and the Black Swan B&B is right in the middle of it all! Not only is this little town full of antique shops, museums, and restaurants, but consider taking a guided trip down the bayou, or enjoying a mug of 5 cent coffee at the Jefferson General Store.

Jefferson, TX Festivals – When to visit?

Jefferson, Texas makes a great getaway any time of the year, but you may want to plan your trip around one of the many festivals that take place here throughout the year, including:

Jefferson Candlelight Tour of Homes – This annual event offers candlit tours of historic homes led by docents in period clothing (think top hats and hoopskirts!)

History, Haunts & Legends – This twice annual East Texas paranormal conference takes place each April and each November. It was the main reason for our stay, actually. I was invited to give my Historic Cemetery Symbolism talk there, and decided to turn my stay in Jefferson, Texas into a much-needed writing research trip.

Jefferson Pilgrimage – This is a weekend long historical celebration in which Civil War buffs use the entire town as a backdrop for elaborate reenactments, including the Naval Battle of Port Jefferson, and the Diamond Bessie Murder Trial Play.

Burn Run – Motorcycle Rally This annual fall biker rally raises money for burn victims.

Mardi Gras Upriver – Jefferson, Texas has been celebrating Mardi Gras

Marion County Fair – A good old-fashioned East Texas county fair.

Taste of Jefferson, Texas – Lively annual celebration of regional restaurants.

Plan your stay at the Black Swan B&B

For more information about the Black Swan B&B, including room rates, available dates, and how to book a room, click here: Black Swan B&B (If you do book a room at the Black Swan B&B, be sure to tell them that Tui sent you!)
Address: Black Swan B&B, 210 West Austin Street, Jefferson, Texas 75657
Phone number: (903) 665-7023
Website: Black Swan B&B
NOTE: While accommodations were provided free of charge, the opinions expressed in this review are wholly my own. Click here to read the full TuiSnider.com Privacy Policy. 

Want to read more like this?


To read about more weird, offbeat, and overlooked places, check out my best-selling travel guide: 
UNEXPECTED TEXAS: Your Guide to Offbeat & Overlooked History, Day Trips & Fun Things to do near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For ghost hunting hot spots, check out my best-selling travel guide to haunted places: 
PARANORMAL TEXAS: Your Travel Guide to Haunted Places near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For a strange-but-true tale of Texas history, check out this bizarre piece of West Texas history: 
The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber

 


white-line-separator

Hey, you! Want to come along for the ride?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: For updates on my offbeat travels, books, & other fun stuff (such as postcards from the road!) subscribe to my newsletter using the form below. Each week, I’ll let you know the Historic Cemetery Symbol of the Week, who Teal Gray & I are interviewing on our show that night, and any other fun or interesting news. You can also mix & mingle with me by clicking this link & “liking” my Facebook Author Page:

Filed Under: Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, Hotel and B&B Reviews, My Reviews, Travel Photo Essays Tagged With: B&B, east Texas, festivals, jefferson, Oct15, places to stay, q1, review, road trip, Texas, things to do, Tui Snider, TX, weekend getaway

History, Haunts & Legends Paranormal Conference in Jefferson, Texas

by 3 Comments

What is Jefferson’s History, Haunts and Legends?

History, Haunts, and Legends (HHL) is a one-day paranormal conference held in Jefferson, Texas twice a year: once in the spring and once in the fall. Jodi Breckenridge, who leads the Jefferson Ghost Walk, created this event in 2006, and it has steadily gained momentum ever since!

Historic Cemetery Symbols Talk

I’m so excited to be giving my Historic Cemetery Symbols presentation at History, Haunts, and Legends on November 7, 2015. I absolutely love the town of Jefferson and have been dying to attend HHL, but it’s just never worked out for me in the past. For once, I’m not out of town or booked elsewhere, so I can finally attend!

IMG_1947

HHL Daytime Events

History, Haunts, and Legends offers Daytime Events and Nighttime Events. Daytime events include a full roster of speakers, numerous vendors, and a psychic gallery. HHL’s Daytime Events are hosted at the Jefferson Visitors Center (305 E Austin St, Jefferson, TX 75657.)

Speakers and Vendor schedule: The doors open on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 8:00 a.m. This gives attendees time to drink coffee and don name tags. Guest speakers start presenting at 9:15 and will run all day. (Read on for a full list of speakers and more info about the vendors.)

Psychic Gallery with Dakota Lawrence: At 4:00 p.m., medium, Dakota Lawrence, offers a psychic gallery. Tickets for this event are an additional $35. Seating is limited, but there are still a few seats available as of this writing.

Dinner Break: Around 5:30 or 6, there’s time for a dinner break. People can relax, grab a bite to eat, and get prepared for some ghost hunting, if so inclined!

HHL Nighttime Events

Evening Paranormal Investigations: For its Nighttime Events, History, Haunts, and Legends offers paranormal investigations at 6 haunted hot spots in historic Jefferson, Texas. These spots were all chosen because they are haunted hot spots.

A different paranormal investigation team will be set up at each haunted location. This way, conference attendees can see how different groups conduct their investigations, while also experiencing different haunted locations. To keep these locations from being overly crowded, HHL’s Nighttime Events attendees will be divided into 6 groups.

Each group will spend 45 minutes at each location. It’s like a bar hop, except instead of boozing it up, you are moving from one haunted hot spot to another throughout the evening!

HHL: Paranormal Investigations

Here’s the list of Haunted Locations in Jefferson, Texas that History, Haunts and Legends attendees with tickets to HHL’s Nighttime Events will be investigating:

Hale House
Segal-Wharton
Claiborne House
Three Sisters Cottages
Old Kahn Saloon
Old Mill

HHL: Who is speaking?

The History, Haunts and Legends paranormal conference is going to be jam-packed with interesting speakers, including my talented friend and TGWW Radio co-host, Teal Gray, who will be giving a presentation on Interspecies Communication.

As I mentioned earlier, I’m also giving my Historic Cemetery Symbols talk at HHL in Jefferson, Texas this weekend. (Jefferson has some gorgeous historic cemeteries, too, so I plan on doing some research while I am there!)

Other History, Haunts and Legends paranormal conference speakers include:
Larry Flaxman – Author
Brad Klinge – Paranormal Investigator, Producer
Chris Melancon – Paranormal Society of New Orleans
Jeromy Jones – Paranologies (ghost hunting equipment)
Cathy Nance – Photographer, Woodlands Paranormal
Maria Santos  – Psychic Medium
Dr. Rita Louise – Author, Medical Intuitive
Mitchel Whitington – Author
Terri Jones – Author
Martha Decker – Author

Dakota Lawrence – Please note: Dakota is not a speaker, per se. He will, however, be giving a Psychic Gallery at 4:00 p.m. for an additional $35.

HHL: Who are the vendors?

Jodi Breckenridge has rounded up a wide variety of vendors, for History, Haunts, and Legends. I am really looking forward to seeing what these folks have to offer!

Here’s just a partial list of vendors who will be attending the History, Haunts and Legends paranormal conference in Jefferson:

Linda Anthony Hill – Author
John Cappello – Psychic/Medium, Aura Photography
Ka Horne – Psychic Artist
Olyve Abbott – Author
Kimberly Ridgeway – Spiritual Healer
Diana Leggett – Blue Road Institute

Tickets, Admission, More Information:

$35 Daytime Events Ticket: This tickets lets you enjoy all the speakers and vendors during the day.
$50 Nighttime Event Ticket: This ticket pays for your paranormal investigations at 6 different haunted locations in Jefferson, Texas.
$75 VIP Ticket: This ticket covers both the Daytime *and* the Nighttime events, and is a fabulous deal!. (Plus, if you attend the Jefferson Ghost Walk, this dual ticket is a mere $65.)
$35 Psychic Gallery Ticket: This ticket is exclusively for Dakota Lawrence’s psychic gallery.
Jefferson Ghost Walk: Speaking of the ghost walk, visit the Jefferson Ghost Walk website for more information on how to attend. (I highly recommend this tour! Even my skeptical, science teacher husband enjoyed Jodi Breckenridge’s tour. You learn a lot about the town of Jefferson’s history in a very entertaining manner!)
For History, Haunts and Legends Tickets and more information call: 
903-601-3375 or 903-665-6289

Read more about Jefferson, Texas

Jefferson, Texas is a picturesque town chock full of fascinating history and haunted lore. To read more about fun things to see and do in Jefferson, check out these articles from around the web:

Here’s a photo essay I wrote called: Jefferson, Texas: Simple Pleasures, Ghosts, & Bigfoot in the Little Easy.

The river plays such a big part in Jefferson’s history, that it’s well worth taking a ride on the Turning Basin Riverboat Tour.

Great article about Jefferson, Texas by Chet Garner, aka “The Daytripper”: Haunting Hospitality in Jefferson.

Find out why the Houston Chronicle calls Jefferson: The Most Haunted Town in Texas

A blogger named Pat Austin shares her tips for: Taking a Fun Trip to Jefferson

Want to read more like this?


To read about more weird, offbeat, and overlooked places, check out my best-selling travel guide: 
UNEXPECTED TEXAS: Your Guide to Offbeat & Overlooked History, Day Trips & Fun Things to do near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For ghost hunting hot spots, check out my best-selling travel guide to haunted places: 
PARANORMAL TEXAS: Your Travel Guide to Haunted Places near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For a strange-but-true tale of Texas history, check out this bizarre piece of West Texas history: 
The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber

 


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Hey, you! Want to come along for the ride?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: For updates on my offbeat travels, books, & other fun stuff (such as postcards from the road!) subscribe to my newsletter using the form below. Each week, I’ll let you know the Historic Cemetery Symbol of the Week, who Teal Gray & I are interviewing on our show that night, and any other fun or interesting news. You can also mix & mingle with me by clicking this link & “liking” my Facebook Author Page:

Filed Under: Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, Haunted Travel, Historic Cemeteries, Travel Photo Essays Tagged With: east Texas, ghost, ghost hunting, ghost walk, haunted, history, history haunts and legends, jefferson, jodi breckenridge, paracon, Paranormal, paranormal conference, Texas, Tui Snider

Tui Snider: Interviews, Events, & Appearances

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Geeking out over the X-Files’ Dean Haglund at the 2014 Granbury Paranormal Expo!

Here’s what I’m up to:

Check out this page periodically to see what I’m up to, including interviews, speaking engagements, book signings, and other fun events!

If you know of an upcoming paranormal, writing, history, genealogy, or travel-themed events, or bookstores, libraries, clubs, events, et cetera that could use a lively speaker, please drop me an email at TuiSnider [@] gmail [.] com

2016 Interviews & Events

Conference of College Teachers of English
March 4, 2015
San Antonio, TX
More info: Speaker: State of the Writing Profession – How to Boost Your Writing Career with Twitter

2015 Interviews & Events

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Weekly Podcast Co-Host: Teal Gray Worldwide Radio 
Each Tuesday, 7-9pm Central Time
More info here: Teal Gray Worldwide Radio Co-host

HHL-550

History Haunts and Legends Paranormal Conference
November 7, 2015
Jefferson, TX
More info here: Historic Cemetery Symbols Presentation

Texas ParaUnity Halloween Expo
October 24, 2015
Dallas, TX
More info here: Historic Cemetery Symbols Presentation

Grand-Prairie-poster-half

Grand Prairie Library
October 24, 2015
Grand Prairie, TX
More info here: Haunted Hot Spots in the DFW Area Presentation

Dallas Public Library
October 17, 2015
Dallas, TX
More info here: Presentation: Unexpected Texas (link forthcoming)

cemetery-symbolism

Emily Fowler Central Library
October 15, 2015, 2015
Denton, TX
More info here: Presentation: Historic Cemetery Symbols

Catch Tui Snider's Cemetery Symbolism talk in Galveston this October!
Catch Tui Snider’s Cemetery Symbolism talk in Galveston this October!

2nd Annual Wake The Dead Horror Paracon
October 9, 10, 11, 2015
Galveston, TX
More info here: Historic Cemetery Symbols Presentation

Paranormal Book Signing Event
October 3, 2015
Weatherford, TX
More info here: Book Signing

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Coast to Coast AM Radio – with George Noory
October 1, 2015
More info here: Interview: Strange Texas Sites & Tales

Langdon Review Weekend – Festival of the Arts
September 9 – 12, 2015
Granbury, TX
More info here: Presenter: Multi Genre (poetry, prose & song)

Gainesville-HHM-bottom-speakers

ASAP Entertainment’s Gainesville Paracon at Haunted Hill Manor
August 28 & 29, 2015
Gainesville, TX
More info here: Presentation on Historic Cemetery Symbolism

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Radio Interview: Close to Death with Selena Roane
June 9, 2015
More info here: Close to Death radio

Tui Snider presents her Cemetery Symbolism talk in Granbury!
Tui Snider presents her Cemetery Symbolism talk in Granbury!

Granbury Paranormal Expo
April 25 & 26, 2015
Granbury, TX
More info here: Presentation on Cemetery Symbolism

Plano Photo Walk
April 10 & 11, 2015
Plano, TX
More info here: Guest Photographer: Plano Photo Walk

Co-Host: Teal Gray Worldwide
April 2, 2015
More info here: Presents “What in the World?” & co-hosts 6-8pm CST

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Emily Fowler Central Library
March 21, 2015
Denton, TX
More info here: Presentation: How to Find Big Fun in Small Towns

Philosophenomena Unity Fest
March 21, 2015
Glen Rose, TX
More info here: Vendor table

Co-Host: Teal Gray Worldwide
March 5, 2015
More info here: Presents “What in the World?” & co-hosts 6-8pm CST

2014 Appearances & Events

Books & Banter
November 22, 2014
Lawton, OK
More info here: Presentation & Book Signing from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Radio Interview: The Joe Show on AM 930 Progressive Talk
October 27, 2014
More info here: Interview on The Joe Show on AM 930 Progressive Talk

Radio Interview: Teal Gray Worldwide
October 23, 2014
More info here: Interview on the Unexplained Radio Network

Radio Interview: Simplicity Radio with Brian Treybig
October 22, 2014
More info here: Simplicity Radio Welcomes Author, Tui Snider

Coast to Coast AM
October 21, 2014
More info here: Tui Snider’s Ghost Photo Featured on Coast to Coast AM website & Facebook page

Coppell Public Library
September 28, 2014
Coppell, TX
More info here: Tea Time Presentation & Book Signing

Texas Association of Creative Writing Teachers
September 18-20, 2014
Dallas, TX
More info here: Presenter & Panelist: Social Media for Writers

Dash Beardsley Wake the Dead Show
September 6, 2014
Galveston, TX
More info here: Dash Beardsley Wake the Dead Show

Radio Interview: Teal Gray Worldwide
July 2, 2014
More info here: A Night of the Unexpected with Tui Snider

Emily Fowler Central Library
June 8, 2014
Denton, TX
More info here: Presentation: Unexpected Texas

Guest Post: This Eclectic Life
June 1, 2014
Fort Worth, TX
More info here: Interesting Cemeteries in North Texas – A Guest Post by Tui Snider

Granbury Paranormal Expo
May 17, 2014
Granbury, TX
More info here: Granbury Paranormal Expo – Exhibitor

2014 DFW Writer’s Conference
May 2-4, 2014
Hurst, TX
More info here:DFW Writer’s Conference, vendor

Fort Worth Art Dealer’s Association (FWADA) Spring Gallery Night
March 29, 2014
Fort Worth, TX
More info here: Book Signing at There’s No Place Like Home Furniture

Unexpected Texas Facebook Party
March 9, 2014
Read it here: Online Facebook Party for Unexpected Texas – Yee haw!

Morgan Dragonwillow Reviews Unexpected Texas
March 8, 2014
Read it here: Unexpected Texas Travel Book by an Extraordinary Woman

Unexpected Texas Reviewed on Less Beaten Paths
March 7, 2014
Read it here: New Book on Texas Travel: Tui Snider – Unexpected Texas

Unexpected Texas Reviewed by a Native Texan (spoiler alert: She loves it!)
March 6, 2014
Read it here: Unexpected Texas. Tui Snider’s Travel Book

Unexpected Texas Review on Victoria’s Reading Alcove
March 5, 2014
Read it here: Unexpected Texas – A Trip Down Memory Lane

Unexpected Texas Mini-Interview at Byteful Travel
March 4, 2014
Read it here: Tui Discovers a truly “Unexpected Texas” in her New Book

Interview by YA Author, Patricia Lynne
March 3, 2014
Read it here: An Unexpected Visit to Texas

Official Book Release & Interview on StoryDam
March 2, 2014
Read it here: StoryDam Author Interview: Tui Snider and her Unexpected Texas Book Release Blog Tour

Filed Under: My Bio, Teal Gray Worldwide Radio, TGWW Radio Tagged With: appearances, asap entertainment, author, big fun in small towns, book signing, ccte, ccte conference, close to death, Dash Beardsley, Dean Haglund, Denton, DFW, emily fowler library, events, festival, gainesville, Galveston, galveston comiccon, galveston island convention center, Granbury, Granbury Paranormal Expo, grand prairie library, haunted hill manor, haunted hot spots, haunted travel, historic cemetery symbols, history haunts legends, jefferson, langdon review weekend, paracon, paracon speaker, paranormal conference, photographer, plano photo walk, podcast, podcast host, presenter, Selena Roane, speaker, Teal Gray Worldwide Radio, Texas, texas paraunity halloween expo, tgww radio, tui snider author, Tui Snider speaker, Twitter, wake the dead, writer in residence

Jefferson, Texas: Simple Pleasures, Ghosts, & Bigfoot in the Little Easy

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The following is an adapted excerpt from Unexpected Texas – my best-selling travel guide to quirky, offbeat and overlooked places near Dallas and Fort Worth. Check it out if you enjoy learning quirky facts, or are looking for offbeat road trip ideas in north Texas.

Jefferson, Texas aka the Little Easy

With its brick streets, horse drawn carriages, wrought iron railings, and abundance of Greek revival architecture, a visit to Jefferson, Texas can make you feel like you’ve stepped onto a movie set for New Orleans in the late 1800’s.

This town’s resemblance to the “Big Easy” is no mere affectation, but a genuine part of its heritage.  In fact, Jefferson has so much in common with New Orleans that it’s sometimes called the “Little Easy.” They’ve even been celebrating Mardi Gras for over 100 years.

Wrought iron detail in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Wrought iron detail in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

Riverport to the Southwest

While it’s a small town now, from 1845 to 1872 Jefferson was a major Texas port, second only to the port of Galveston! Steamboats laden with cotton and other goods powered upriver all the way from New Orleans, thereby earning Jefferson the nickname, “Riverport to the Southwest.” Shortly after the Civil War, Jefferson was the sixth largest city in Texas with a population of 30,000.

Historic downtown Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Historic downtown Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

 

Then they Blew it – Literally!

In 1873, the Army Corps of Engineers used explosives to remove a huge raft of logs downstream from Jefferson. As a result, the water level in the bayou dropped so much that big steamboats were unable to make it to town. At the same time, transportation by railway was becoming the norm, and before long, Jefferson’s life as a major Texas port came to an end.

Bed & Breakfast Capital of Texas

Although the population has shrunk to a mere 2,000, this wee little town is bustling and active. At any given time there are between 50 to 80 bed and breakfast inns operating to keep up with the demand for lodging.

Coffee is still a nickel at the Jefferson General Store (photo by Tui Snider)
Coffee is still a nickel at the Jefferson General Store (photo by Tui Snider)

Festivals Galore –  including a *real* Mardi Gras

Every year, Jefferson plays host to a variety of festivals and community events, including a historic homes tour, the Diamond Bessie Murder Trial reenactment, the History Haunts & Legends festival, an antique car show, Mardi Gras, and much more. (Please note: If you plan to visit during Mardi Gras, book your hotel several months in advance. It’s a big deal here, attracting thousands of tourists every year!)

Jefferson, Texas has a reputation for being very haunted! (photo by Tui Snider)
Jefferson, Texas has a reputation for being very haunted! (photo by Tui Snider)

Most Haunted Small Town in Texas

If you wonder why the SyFy, Travel, and Discover channels all describe Jefferson as the “most haunted small town in Texas” consider taking the Historic Jefferson Texas Ghost Tour to see for yourself.

Led by local historian and self-described skeptic, Jodi Breckenridge, this walking tour takes you by several haunted locations in the historic downtown. Each trip is different, but Breckenridge strives to take participants inside at least one paranormal hot spot on every tour.

Tours last a good 90 minutes and are a great way to stretch your legs after a big meal. The night I attended, there was a crowd of 75+ people.

I must confess that no orbs appeared in the photos I took, nor did our group experience anything anomalous. I was surprised, however, at how many people in the tour were repeat customers. Several of them had eerie tales to share about things they experienced on previous excursions with Breckenridge.

I should add that my husband, Larry, doesn’t believe in anything the slightest bit woo-woo, but he thoroughly enjoyed the ghost tour. He described it as an entertaining after-hours tour of historic downtown Jefferson, and I must agree. Still, the next time I go (and there will be a next time) I hope to see a ghost.

Plan your trip to the Historic Jefferson Ghost Walk
Website: jeffersonghostwalk.com
Address: Corner of Austin and Vale Streets, Jefferson, TX 75657

The Grove

If Jefferson is such a haunted town, then it should be no surprise to find more than one ghost tour available. Not only did several people on Jodi Breckenridge’s tour insist that The Grove is a must-see, but as of this writing it rates as the number one tourist attraction in Jefferson, Texas on TripAdvisor. The Grove has been featured on numerous TV shows, including “William Shatner’s Weird or What?” “If Walls Could Talk,” and “Penn & Teller: Bullshit!” as well as being named “one of the top twelve most haunted houses in America” by “This Old House.”

There are a couple of major differences between The Grove and most other paranormal tours. First of all, The Grove concentrates on a single dwelling, the Stilley-Young House which was built in 1861 and is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places. Secondly, tours of The Grove take place during daylight hours, rather than after dark. This increases your chance of taking ghostly photos because you won’t have to use a flash. Also, if like me, your spouse doesn’t believe in ghosts, The Grove is a lovely tour of a historic home.

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to book a tour with The Grove during our research trip to Jefferson, so I cannot report on it firsthand. It comes so highly recommended from other sources, however, that I am including it here, anyway. If you take the tour, let me know what you think.

Since our visit to Jefferson, however, I’ve read Ghosts of North Texas, by Mitchel Whitington. Whitington, it turns out, owns – and lives in – The Grove. After enjoying his well-written book, I am even more pumped up about taking a tour of his haunted home.

Plan your trip The Grove
Website: thegrove-jefferson.com
Address: 405 Moseley St, Jefferson, TX 75657

Steven Spielberg’s Ghostly Encounter

Still don’t believe that Jefferson, Texas is haunted? What if I told you that Steven Spielberg is on record saying that of the two haunted hotels he has stayed in his life, one of them is in Jefferson, Texas? (The full story is pretty long, so I will go into detail in a later post, then link to this page when I do!)

Historic downtown Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Historic downtown Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

East Texas Bigfoot Sightings

Ghosts aren’t the only mysteries associated with this area. Whether you call them Sasquatch, Bigfoot, or wood apes, the piney woods of east Texas are a hot spot for sightings of big, hairy creatures. If nothing else, this undocumented hominid has captured the local imagination to the extent that several monster movies have been filmed near Jefferson, Texas including the “Creature from Black Lake,” “Legend of Boggy Creek,” and most recentlym east Texas’ answer to “Sharknado,” entitled “Bigfoot Wars.”

Because of this, Jefferson has hosted several Bigfoot Conferences over the years, however there is no set location for this annual event, so keep your eye on the North American Wood Ape Conservancy (NAWAC) website for details.

Jefferson General Store

All ghosts and cryptids aside, there is plenty to see and do in this cute little town even if you pop in for a day trip when no festivals are happening. Since Jefferson is highly walkable, I highly recommend an aimless ramble while you are there, as well as a visit to the Jefferson General Store.

Yes, I know. It’s a store. But it’s a fun, old-fashioned store, much like the “five and dimes” that were once a common feature across America.

I enjoyed every inch of the Jefferson General Store, from the bar stools along its soda fountain to its creaky wood plank floors. The store carries everything from homemade pickles and jams, to toys, hats, games, clothing, kitchen wares and more.

The vast candy selection includes a wide variety of long-forgotten brands in vintage style wrappers, to barrels of saltwater taffy and strange new candies I had never heard of. The Jefferson General Store also sells ice cream in waffle cones made on-site, and as of this writing a cup of fresh coffee still goes for a nickel per cup.

Plan your trip to the Jefferson General Store
Website: jeffersongeneralstore.com
Address: 113 E. Austin St. Jefferson, Texas 75657

Want to read more like this?


To read about more weird, offbeat, and overlooked places, check out my best-selling travel guide: 
UNEXPECTED TEXAS: Your Guide to Offbeat & Overlooked History, Day Trips & Fun Things to do near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For ghost hunting hot spots, check out my best-selling travel guide to haunted places: 
PARANORMAL TEXAS: Your Travel Guide to Haunted Places near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For a strange-but-true tale of Texas history, check out this bizarre piece of West Texas history: 
The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber

 


white-line-separator

Hey, you! Want to come along for the ride?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: For updates on my offbeat travels, books, & other fun stuff (such as postcards from the road!) subscribe to my newsletter using the form below. Each week, I’ll let you know the Historic Cemetery Symbol of the Week, who Teal Gray & I are interviewing on our show that night, and any other fun or interesting news. You can also mix & mingle with me by clicking this link & “liking” my Facebook Author Page:

Filed Under: Haunted Travel, Travel Photo Essays Tagged With: bigfoot, east Texas, featured post, haunted, historic, jefferson, Jefferson General Store, Oct15, road trip, sasquatch, Texas, Texas Travel, Tui Snider, unexpected Texas, wood ape

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