Marion County, Texas

19th Century Business House A. M. Urquhart House Alice Emmert Home Alley-McKay House Atkins House Austin Street Mercantile Beard House Benefield Sr. Home Berea Community Bluebonnett Farm Brown Building Brown-Bender House Capt. Wm. Perry House Captain William Perry Captain William Perry Carlson, Mary, Home Christ Episcopal Church Claiborne House Confederate Civil War Meat Packing Plant Dan N. Alley Home Deware, J. M., Residence Doyle Bower House Early Bell Foundry, Site of Early Jefferson Lodge Building Early Jefferson Masonic Lodge Building Early Site of Bell Factory Excelsior House Falling Leaves, 1855 First Baptist Church of Jefferson First Methodist Church First National Bank of Jefferson First Texas Artificial Gas Plant Frazier Cemetery Freeman Plantation Frith-Jones Cemetery "Gay 90's House" George T. Todd House George Webster Smith Godfrey-Singleton House Graham, Capt. Charles G Guarding Oak Haggard, George E., Bldg. (RE 80) Haggard, George E., Funeral Home Historic Houston Street Victorian Cottage Hodge-Taylor House Home of Capt. Charles G. Graham Homesite of Barry Benefield Houston Street College Hudgins-Blake House Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Immaculate Conception Church J. H. Rowell Home Jay Gould Railroad Car Jay Gould Railroad Car Jefferson Jefferson Jefferson C. S. A. Jefferson Ordnance Magazine Jefferson Playhouse Jefferson Public Library Jefferson Turn Basin John M. Vines Kahn Saloon Kellyville Knightwood Liberty Baptist Church Lockett Cemetery Macedonia United Methodist Church Manse, The Marion County Marion County Courthouse Marion County Depression Era Roadside Park McCasland, Joe, Home Meat Packing Plant Methodist Church Mims Chapel Methodist Church and Cemetery Moseley, J.B., Home Murphy Building Nash Iron Works Oakwood Cemetery Oakwood Cemetery (Medallion Only) Old Apothecary Shop Old Federal Building Old Federal Court and Post Office Building Old Home of Geo. Keese Old Livery Stable Old Rosebud Saloon Perry Woods Home Plantation House Planters Bank Potter's Point Presbyterian Church Preston Home R. B. Walker House Red River Warehouse Richard Waterhouse Rogers Home Rogers Home Rowell Family Home Rowell Home S. D. Rainey Home Sagamore Savannah Cemetery Schluter Home Sedberry, Mrs. Ruth, Home Singleton Family Home Site of First Ice Factory in Texas Site of Home of Captain George T. Todd St. Louis Commission Company Warehouse Sterne Fountain Stilley-Young House Synagogue:Sinai Hebrew Cong. of Beth-El, 1876 T. J. Taylor, Jr. Home Taylor Cemetery Terry, R.S., Home Texas Statesman Charles Allen Culberson The Brooks House The Figures House The Homestead The House of the Seasons The Jefferson "Jimplecute" "The Magnolias" The Marsh Place The Thurman Place Todd-Terhune Residence Torrans-Clopton-Spellings House Trammel's Trace Union Missionary Baptist Church Vernon Dalhart W. S. Terry Home Wilkinson Cemetery William Clark Residence

Marion County, located in the eastern part of Texas, has a rich history that dates back to its establishment in 1860. The county was named after Francis Marion, a Revolutionary War hero known as the "Swamp Fox."

The early settlement in Marion County was primarily driven by the sawmill industry, as many settlers arrived to exploit the vast pine forests in the area. Lumber became a major source of economic growth, leading to the establishment of several sawmills and the development of a thriving logging community. However, the decline of the timber industry in the early 20th century had a significant impact on the county's economy.

During the Civil War, Marion County was divided in its loyalties, with some residents supporting the Confederacy and others supporting the Union. The county saw several skirmishes between Confederate and Union forces, with the town of Jefferson acting as an important Confederate supply depot. After the war, many of the county's plantations were abandoned, and former slaves faced economic and social challenges.

In the 20th century, Marion County experienced a revival in its economy through the tourism industry. The historic town of Jefferson, with its well-preserved architecture and rich history, became a popular destination for visitors seeking to experience the charm of the Old South. Today, Marion County boasts a thriving tourism sector, attracting visitors with its historic sites, museums, festivals, and recreational activities in its beautiful natural surroundings.
Brief timeline of the history of Marion County, Texas:

  • 1837: Marion County is established by the Republic of Texas.
  • 1841: Jefferson is chosen as the county seat.
  • 1845: Texas becomes a state.
  • 1861-1865: Marion County residents participate in the American Civil War.
  • 1867: Marion County votes against secession from the United States.
  • 1873: Texas and Pacific Railway completes a railroad line through the county.
  • 1905: A new courthouse is built in Jefferson.
  • 1937: The discovery of oil leads to an economic boom in the county.
  • 1969: The Texas Historical Commission designates Jefferson as a National Historic Landmark.
  • 1984: Jefferson is named the "Bed and Breakfast Capital of Texas."

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Marion County, Texas.

Audiobooks about the history of Texas.