Rail baron Jay Gould once offered to bring the railroad to Jefferson, but the town (inauspiciously) turned him down, deciding to bet its future on river traffic. Gould's ultraluxe private 1888 railroad car, the Atlanta, now sits near the center of town. Contact Excelsior House about tours, usually, but not always available 10am to 3pm.
Atlanta Private Railway Car
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Nearby attractions
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This central, historic hotel was built in the 1850s by a riverboat captain. Famous guests have included US presidents Ulysses S Grant and Rutherford B…
2. Jefferson Historical Museum
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The three-story, 1888 brick courthouse contains interesting exhibits on early life in east Texas and the original Caddo Indian tribe. There's interesting…
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The Grove, a private home built in 1861, had reports of hauntings way back in 1882. Take an hour-long tour with owner and author Michael Whittington, who…
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The wine industry is literally growing in east Texas; several vineyards lie within an hour's drive of Jefferson. Locals favor Enoch's Stomp for its…
6. Walter B Jacobs Memorial Nature Park
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If you're feeling the need for fresh air after the reconstituted, sweaty oxygen of the casinos, head out here and stomp around 5 miles of nature trails …