The City of Jefferson is yet in its infancy. But a few short years have
passed since the ground on which it stands was a wilderness, but its
growth has been rapid and substantial. It now numbers not less than
12,000 inhabitants, and the business houses being constructed of brick,
it wears an air of solidity, such as is seldom seen in this State. Its
Churches and many of its private residences are unsurpassed in the
State, in points of taste and elegance and its business men are quite as
enterprising as those of any other city within the confines of the
Empire State of Texas.
Jefferson has already a National Bank, a Citizens Savings Bank and three
private Banks, but such is the extent of her trade even this number has
not been found sufficient, and a charter has been secured for another
National Bank, which will soon go into operation. She also has a Chamber
of Commerce, an iron foundry and Machine Shop, several planing mills,
sash door and blind Factories, the National Cotton Compress Company etc.
and here, too, is located the East Texas State Agricultural, Mechanical
and Stock Raising Association.
The exports from the City of Jefferson, for the year ending September
1st, 1886 were not less than 25,000 bales of cotton; for the year ending
September 1st, 1872, the exports were: Cotton (bales) 76,328; Dry Hides
84,762; Green Hides 18,471; Wool (Lbs.) 87,623; Peltries 48,210; Bois
d’arc Seeds, (bushels) 9,721; Cattle 5,381; Sheep 821; Lumber (feet)
121,000.
The Steamboat arrivals for the same period were 226, with a carrying
capacity of from 225 to 700 tons each.
Being situated at the head of navigation, on Big Cypress Bayou, a port
necessitated by reason of the immovable raft, which long since formed in
Red River, above this point: heretofore Jefferson has been compelled to
rely on water transportation; it is, therefore, with a great degree of
satisfaction that she witnesses the movements on foot to make her a
great railroad center. When her facilities for transportation are thus
increased, no town in Northern or Eastern Texas will have a brighter
future, or greater commercial advantages. For a long time past this city
has transacted more business annually than any city in Texas, with the
single exception of Galveston. What then will be her capacity when the
above named railroads all come to her aid?