1901 Harrison County Courthouse

The old Harrison County Courthouse is located in the center of downtown Marshall and is one of the most famous and admired buildings in Texas. It is the signature landmark of Marshall and is frequently used to represent East Texas in travel literature. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Courthouse, after 40 years of inactivity - and 10 years of careful revitalization - is now completely and authentically restored. Guided tours under the beautiful stained glass dome are available upon request. Phone the museum office - 903-935-8417.

Historic New Town

New Town is a primarily African American neighborhood on the west side of Marshall. New Town was home to many prominent individuals in Texas and U.S. history such as James Farmer, Sr. and James Farmer, Jr., a civil rights activist who helped found the Congress on Racial Equity (CORE) in 1942. Within the neighborhood is Wiley College, the oldest accredited black college west of the Mississippi River. Call (903) 702-7777 for a driving map and more.

Starr Family Home State Historic Site

The Starr Family Home State Historic Site, a Texas Historical Commission property, is located on 3.2 acres near downtown Marshall. The site interprets four generations of Starr family history and the 1871 family home of Frank Starr — Maplecroft mansion. The property consists of seven buildings, including the Rosemont Cottage and the Starr-Blake Home. These homes and outbuildings house the artifacts and collections, including original books, clothing and furniture of Starr family members from the late 19th century. For more information on the Starr Family Home State Historical Site, call (903) 935-3044 or www.visitstarrfamilyhome.com.

Ginocchio Hotel

In the late 1800’s, Marshall passenger railroading was in its heyday and the Ginocchio Hotel, sitting alongside the tracks, had famous and infamous guests. In 1878, Maurice Barrymore, patriarch of the Barrymore acting family, and a fellow actor were shot by an intoxicated train engineer. The shooting and the legal wrangling that followed captured the attention of the nation. The site no longer takes overnight guests, but you’ll want to visit anyway to soak up the historic aura, 800 N. Washington, (903) 702-7777.

Harrison County Historical Museum

The Museum owns one of the largest archival and artifact collections relating to the early settlement of Northeast Texas. The Museum began collecting artifacts in 1965 and amassed a collection of over 20,000 artifacts. Plans also call for the 2011 opening of exhibits and a gift shop inside the historic Harrison County Courthouse. For information, call (903) 935-8417. Click here to visit the Museum's website.

Jefferson Historical Museum

A basement, two floors and a garret hold the large and interesting collection of the Jefferson Historical Society. Exhibits include art and antiquities, Civil War collections, Caddo Indian artifacts, early pioneer
implements, early Texas textiles, children’s toys and dolls and genealogy archives, 223 W. Austin Street in Jefferson, (903) 665-2775 or www.jeffersonmuseum.com.

Marshall Facts

• On February 14, 1854, the first telegraph office in Texas was opened in Marshall with connections to Shreveport, Alexandria and New Orleans.
• Constructed in 1898, the Weisman Building served as the department store of Joe Weisman & Company and was the first department store in Texas.
• With the installation of a single light bulb at the Texas and Pacific Depot, Marshall became the first city in Texas to have electricity.
• The city’s most prominent industry, pottery manufacturing, began with the establishment of Marshall Pottery
  in 1895.
• Marshall is closer to the capitals of Arkansas (Little Rock 190 miles), Louisiana (Baton Rouge 239 miles), and Mississippi (Jackson 243 miles) than it is to the capital of Texas (Austin, 253 miles).
• Three major civil rights leaders were educated in Marshall. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and later Jesse Jackson attended Bishop College
  while James L. Farmer Jr. went to Wiley College.
• Each school year, there are approximately three thousand college students in Marshall attending East Texas Baptist University, Wiley College, Texas State Technical College and Panola College.
• Marshall was one of ten cities designated an All American City in 1976 by the National Civic League.
• Marshall is officially the sister city of Taipei, Taiwan.
• Historians have known since the 1930’s that Boogie Woogie piano originated in the piney woods of northeast Texas. Research shows that the music emerged in the 1870’s in close proximity to the T&P Railroad, headquartered in Marshall, Texas. Marshall now has a Boogie Woogie Artist-in-Residence, Omar Sharriff, formerly known as Dave Alexander, and Marshall is recognized as The Birthplace of Boogie Woogie™.
• The city is known for producing one of the largest light festivals in the U.S. In fact, Wonderland of Lights has become such a part of the cityscape that the lighted dome of the 1901 historic Harrison County Courthouse has become the most recognizable symbol of the city.

Texas & Pacific Depot

Just north of downtown, you’ll find the historic Texas & Pacific Depot, constructed in 1912. Today, the Depot serves as an active Amtrak train station that receives cross-country passenger trains twice-a-day, a railroad museum and gift shop. Tourists, schools and church groups are encouraged to participate in interpretive tours given by friendly, knowledgeable guides. Also, the T&P Museum is a real treat. Here, you will find something for both adults and children with the “boring” facts and old things that adults like - along with the interactive fun stuff for the kids. For more information, contact (903) 938-9495.