Step Back In Time In Texas' Historic Town Filled With Architectural Wonders And Rich Stories

Behind the pine curtain, the Piney Woods region of East Texas, there's the little town of Jefferson. Known as "The Queen of the Bayou", this riverport was once a major hub for riverboats and a boomtown in the middle of the 19th century. In the 1870s, however, the U.S. Corps of Engineers removed the Red River Raft, a massive log jam in the river, and water travel to Jefferson became more treacherous. In addition, when the Texas and Pacific Railway was built around the same time the log jam was removed, it also bypassed the town. So the glory days of Jefferson were over and the population dropped dramatically.

But to this day, this little Texas town still boasts an amazing array of historical buildings with unique architectural features that harken back to its illustrious heyday. If you're particularly considering staying at a bed and breakfast on your next trip, you'll be happy to know that it was once known as the official Bed and Breakfast Capital of Texas and still boasts a charming array of distinct and beautiful historic hotels and inns. Yet along with the beauty and prosperity of Jefferson's history comes a past full of intriguing, unusual, and sometimes spine-chilling tourist attractions and stories.

Thanks to its rich history, Jefferson has nearly 100 historical landmarks. Visitors may notice that some of the buildings bear a striking resemblance to the styles you'd see in New Orleans. This is no coincidence. Trade between Jefferson and New Orleans was prevalent during the city's golden age, and one prime example of that is the fountain courtyard at The Excelsior House Hotel –– the state's oldest hotel in continuous operation.

Don't miss taking a tour of The House Of The Seasons. It is a stunning combination of Greek Revival and Victorian elements accented with murals and stained glass. Tours are available by appointment daily at 11 a.m. for $15 per person, though prices are always subject to change. Jefferson is also home to one of the few remaining Carnegie libraries in operation, and the building opens at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday. While you're exploring, stop into Jefferson General Store for a drink at the old-fashioned soda fountain or a 5-cent coffee. The building has been around since 1860 and has been operating as a general store since the 1870s.

Jefferson's long history throughout the 19th and 20th centuries also means that there is a lot to learn about its past. Head to the Jefferson Historical Museum, housed in the 1888 Federal Court House and U.S. Post Office. There, you can learn all about the Caddo tribe, who once inhabited the land, and the city's Jewish and African American heritage. Plus, you'll hear about the mysterious Diamond Bessie (who may or may not have been killed by her lover) and the dramatic trial in Jefferson that followed. If you're a history buff, Jefferson is certainly the best place to get your fill of wild but true stories.

It is even an excellent place to visit for people who love a good ghost story, too. Legend has it that The Grove is one of the most haunted places in Texas. In fact, it has been named one of the best haunted destinations in the U.S. for several years (via USA Today). Tours of The Grove are $10 and happen only on Saturdays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m. Kids under 10 aren't allowed inside, so make sure you're not bringing any tiny children along. As of 2018, the mayor declared Jefferson to be the Bigfoot Capital of Texas due to the large number of Bigfoot sightings around nearby Caddo Lake, which may be as eerie and mysterious in real life as it is depicted in the Netflix film of the same. Not only does the town have a Bigfoot statue, but they also host a Texas Bigfoot Convention and recently opened the Texas Bigfoot Museum in the town.