Jefferson is home to nearly 100 historical landmarks, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Local self-guided walking tours show off historic homes, churches, and buildings throughout the town, including The Excelsior House Hotel and the Jefferson Carnegie Library, the latter of which was funded by American industrialist and steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. Stop by the Jefferson General Store, built in the 1860s, for old-fashioned candy and root beer floats, or the Jefferson Historical Museum, housed in the former federal courthouse and post office.
Here, you’ll see a magnolia tree that was planted as a seedling by former first lady Lady Bird Johnson. The seedling originated from a tree on the White House lawn that was planted when former President Andrew Jackson was in office. For outdoor pursuits, paddle through bayous at Caddo Lake State Park, a 20-minute drive east.
