Historical Marker
Jefferson Ordnance Magazine
Historical marker location:
Jefferson, Texas
( North-northeast of Highway 59 and Big Cypress Bayou)
Marker installed: 2011
JEFFERSON ORDNANCE MAGAZINE
THIS HISTORIC POWDER HOUSE OR MAGAZINE WAS CONSTRUCTED DURING THE CIVIL WAR TO SAFELY STORE POWDER AND MUNITIONS. THE SINGLE ROOM, SQUARE BRICK BUILDING’S STRUCTURAL DESIGN FOCUSED ON SECURITY AND VENTILATION, COMPLETE WITH A LIGHT ROOF TO BEAR THE BULK OF THE FORCE SHOULD AN EXPLOSION OCCUR. ON APRIL 14, 1865, FEDERAL TROOPS TOOK OVER THE BUILDINGS AND USED THEM FOR TROOP ENCAMPMENT. THE REMAINS OF TWO SIMILAR POWDER MAGAZINES WERE ALSO DISCOVERED NEAR THIS SITE. THIS MAGAZINE IS THE ONLY FREESTANDING ORDNANCE MAGAZINE IN TEXAS AND ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING IN THE U.S.