 |
Jefferson -- The Jewel of Texas
Our home office is in Jefferson, a small town located
in the beautiful piney woods of Northeast Texas, about 200 miles east of
Dallas, TX. Jefferson has a colorful history dating back to the early
1800's. You can find a more detailed history of Jefferson here.
In the late 1840s, Jefferson emerged as the
leading commercial and distribution center of Northeast Texas and the
state's leading inland seaport. As a western most distribution center,
significant wealth accumulated, resulting in the a large number of
Victorian era homes being built. By the late 1990's almost all of these
homes have been restored with many serving as unique Bed and Breakfast
residences. Here are a few examples of those homes:
Hudgins-Blake House
Built in 1867, by George Whitcorn, architect and builder of Jefferson's Catholic church, this structure was originally a two room "dog trot" house. Later, during Jefferson's "boom years", the house was expanded to its current size for five rooms and a central hallway.
This home displays a state historical marker from the Texas Historical Commission, and is elegantly furnished with fine antiques.
McKay House
Daniel Alley, one of Jefferson's founders, built this Greek Revival Home in 1851. It was owned for over 100 years by the family and descendants of Hector McKay, a local attorney.
The house is marked with a State Medallion from the Texas State Historical Commission and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Sedberry-Despain House
This gracious plantation style house, which was originally built in 1853, has been the home of several owners including a Confederate newspaper editor, a steamship owner, an attorney and wealthy cotton merchants. Two beautiful wrought iron stairways add charm to this home which as been designated as a Texas Historical Landmark by the Texas Historical Commission.
Benefield-Harrell House
This home, built in the 1890's in the Queen Anne Victorian style, is typical of the spacious houses built in Jefferson around the turn of the century. In 1907, J. H. Benefield, brother of the famous novelist, Barry Benefield, purchased the property for $2,000. The home is designated with a State Historical Marker from the Texas Historical Commission.
|
