Jefferson’s Civil War History

By Jeff Campbell/Jeff In Jefferson
JEFFERSON- In the Steamboat days, when Jefferson was a trading partner with New Orleans and Shreveport, Jefferson was a strategic outpost during the Civil War. On Big Cypress Bayou, just east of downtown, the Confederate Army established an ordnance works. The ordnance works consisted of three powder magazines (only one is still standing), barracks, a warehouse and other out buildings.

Ammunition that was manufactured in Marshall and other Texas cities was brought to Jefferson, stored at the ordnance works and then transferred east to be used in battle. The ordnance works was built away from downtown in case there were any accidental explosions.

This Friday, Texas Archeology Steward Bob Vernon will be presenting his research into the Jefferson Ordnance Works. The event is free and open to the public. It will be held at the Jefferson Transportation and Visitor Center (305 East Austin) on May 3rd at 2:00 PM. We hope you will join us for this free presentation on Jefferson’s role in the Civil War. For more information please call 903-665-3733.

Jeff Campbell
Tourism Director
305 E Austin
Jefferson, Texas 75657
903-665-3733
http://facebook.com/VisitJeffersonTexas