National Register Listing

Jefferson Theater

345 Fannin St., Beaumont, TX

The construction of the Jefferson Theatre in 1927 illustrates the pattern of cultural enlightenment and civic improvement that dominated Beaumont in the first third of the twentieth century as a result of the historic oil discoveries in the nearby petroleum fields. It is a very good representation of the multi-use entertainment facility constructed in this era and its slightly altered condition makes it an excellent candidate for restoration as a performing arts facility amidst the renewed downtown civic center complex.

The discovery of oil at the Spindletop oil field in 1901 ushered in the "petroleum age" for the United States. Its economic impact was felt not only in Beaumont but the entire country as well. The discovery of deep oil at Spindletop in 1925 precipitated another major boom for the southeast Texas community and the renewed prosperity resulted in the construction of many fine civic, cultural, and educational buildings in Beaumont. One of these buildings was the Jefferson Theatre completed in November of 1927 as a movie theatre and facility for live performances.

The cost of building the theatre, which was under construction for more than 10 months, was approximately $1,000,000. The architect who designed it, Enile Weil, Inc., of New Orleans, was an internationally known theatre designer. The area showplace was built by the Jefferson Amusement Company, which operated it until it was purchased by Gulf States Theatres, Inc., on July 11, 1968. The Gulf States operated the theatre until it closed on October 17, 1972. In 1974 the Jefferson was sold to Fulka Interests of Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Fulka then donated the theatre to the LBJ Foundation of Austin. The Junior League of Beaumont and the Beaumont Junior Forum have organized the Jefferson Theatre Preservation Society, which received the property from the LBJ Foundation in 1976, in the hope of renovating it as a theatre for the performing arts for the three-country Southeast Texas region.

When constructed, the Jefferson Theatre had the most sophisticated technical equipment available for special effects and lighting, with the star attraction being the Robert Morton Company "wonder organ" designed especially for the particular acoustical conditions of the Jefferson. This amazing instrument is capable of mimicking almost any sound, including all sorts of animal sounds, auto sirens and horns, cathedral chimes, and many musical instruments. The Organ, which has 778 pipes as well as percussion Instruments connected to it, sits on a disappearing platform. It is still maintained in excellent condition.

Bibliography
SPARE Beaumont, Beaumont Heritage Society, January, 1977.

Beaumont Journal, November 12, 1927. Tyrrell Public Library.
Local significance of the building:
Entertainment/recreation; Performing Arts

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

entertainment recreation performing arts
Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
Texas is also home to the world's largest honky-tonk, Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth. The venue covers three acres and can hold up to 6,000 people.
Texas random facts
Jefferson County, Texas, has a rich history that spans back several centuries. It is home to the indigenous tribes who had lived in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. In the early 16th century, Spanish explorers reached the area and claimed it as part of New Spain. However, it was not until the early 19th century that the region began to see significant settlement.

In the early 1820s, Empresario Joseph Vehlein obtained a contract to settle 300 families in the region. The land, once inhabited by the Atakapa people, soon attracted settlers of various origins, including Americans, Europeans, and enslaved Africans. The area became known for its fertile soil, offering ideal conditions for agriculture and ranching.

The city of Beaumont was established in the mid-19th century and quickly developed into a major trading and shipping center due to its access to the Neches River and the Gulf of Mexico. The discovery of oil at Spindletop in 1901 marked a turning point in the county's history, as the region experienced a significant oil boom. This brought great prosperity and transformed the area's economy, leading to the development of the petrochemical industry in the following decades.

Throughout the 20th century, Jefferson County witnessed various social and economic changes. It played a key role in World War II, serving as the location for significant military activity, including the establishment of one of the largest military shipbuilding centers in the country. The county also experienced desegregation struggles during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, which eventually led to greater equality.

Today, Jefferson County continues to be an important industrial center for petrochemicals and petroleum-related industries. It is also home to a diverse population and offers a mix of urban and rural landscapes, with a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Jefferson County, Texas.

  • 1836: Jefferson County is established as a municipality of the Republic of Texas.
  • 1838: The town of Beaumont is founded.
  • 1840: Jefferson County becomes part of the newly-formed State of Texas.
  • 1845: Texas is admitted to the United States, and Jefferson County becomes a county within the state.
  • 1858: A railroad is completed, connecting Beaumont to surrounding areas.
  • 1865: The Civil War ends, and Jefferson County begins to recover from the war's impact.
  • 1881: The Spindletop oil field, the first major oil discovery in Texas, is found in Jefferson County.
  • 1901: The Lucas Gusher at Spindletop oil field erupts, launching the Texas oil boom.
  • 1925: The Neches River is first navigable by deep-draft vessels, boosting the county's shipping industry.
  • 1943: The Port of Beaumont is established as a major center for the shipping and petrochemical industries.
  • 1989: Hurricane Gilbert strikes Jefferson County, causing significant damage to the area.
  • 2005: Hurricane Rita makes landfall in Jefferson County, leading to widespread devastation.
  • 2017: Hurricane Harvey causes widespread flooding in Jefferson County.