sightseers can explore a replica black- smith shop, chicken coop and smoke- house before entering the original house, with furnishings from the 1840s to 1860s. The home’s décor gives an idea of what life was like when the Blackburn family lived there. It is the second oldest structure in town still standing on its original site. Other historic sites that expand
Nacogdoches’ story are the Old Nacog- doches University Building and the Sterne-Hoya House Museum and Library. The two-story Greek Revival Old Nacogdoches University Build- ing is the only building remaining from seven universities (one of which never opened) chartered during the Republic. The second fl oor houses ex- hibits related to the building’s time as an educational facility and temporary stint as a Civil War hospital, plus com- munity events. Built in 1830, the dog- trot-style Sterne-Hoya house contains objects from both the Sterne and von der Hoya families and represents life in those times. The house became a library aſt er it was sold to the city and retains a small reference library. To learn more about the Caddo cul-
ture, travel about 30 miles from Nacog- doches to the Caddo Mounds State Historic Site just south of Alto. A group of Caddo, known as the Hasinai, built a set lement in the location that survived for approximately 500 years. The site includes three earthen mounds, be- lieved to be used for burials, temples and religious ceremonies. Visitors can learn about the daily life of the Caddo people through exhibits and displays. From Alto, head 12 miles west and
years forward in time to Mission Tejas State Park. The area was home to a Caddo tribe from 1690 to the 1830s, but the park was built to commemo- rate the fi rst Spanish mission in East Texas. In 1690, the Spanish built the mission amongst the Caddo tribe as part of the eff ort to keep the French out of Texas. The mission was not suc- cessful in winning over the Caddo and was eventually burned by the Span- iards, who returned to Mexico. In 1934, the Civilian Conservation Corps built a replica of the original Mission San Franscisco de los Tejas aſt er the cit- izens of Houston County purchased the land and erected a marker. Today,
PHOTO: STAN A. WILLIAMS/TXDOT
of bygone days. Visitors can delve deep into the past while shopping the antique shops in historic buildings along the red-brick streets of downtown. The Turning Basin River Boat takes travelers on a 45-minute narrated tour of Jeff erson’s river-port history on Big Cypress Bayou. The city off ers other opportunities to explore a dif- ferent time including horse-drawn buggy rides and a narrow-gauge steam-train ride along the bayou with the Historic Jeff erson Railway.
(Those whose trip won’t take them as far north as Jeff erson can enjoy a steam-engine train ride from Pales-
tine to Rusk). History can be further explored with the Historic Jeff erson Ghost Walk, which starts at the cor- ner of Austin and Vale Streets and
visitors can see the replica along with a restored 1828 log cabin that once served travelers along the Old San Antonio Road. And for those who can’t get enough
of the mission history of Texas, there is the Visitor Center at Mission Se- nora de los Dolores de los Ais in San Augustine. The mission was one of six established in 1716-17 and had a rocky history of abandonment and relocation. The visitor center has an interpretive display about the orig- inal mission and information on El Camino Real de los Tejas.
★ Other Riches The Piney Woods region has many
picturesque and interesting towns, es- pecially along U.S. 59. These are towns rich in history and off er signature experiences. For a great photo opportunity, head
to downtown Marshall to see the 1901 Harrison County Courthouse, a key landmark for the town. The beautifully restored courthouse also has an in- credible stained glass dome. Tours are available from the Harrison County Historical Museum. The museum, which is located inside the courthouse, features exhibits on the history of Marshall and Harrison County. To the north is Jeff erson, a bustling
river port in the 19th century. Today, the city retains the grace and charm
off ers a spine-tingling night ime tour. The last stop on U.S. 59 before leav-
ing the state (or possibly the fi rst before entering the state) is Texar- kana. This two-state city has a lot to off er, including a photo opportunity on the south side of the post offi ce where visitors can stand on the state line with one foot in Texas and one in Arkansas. From there, they can head south on State Line Avenue to the Texarkana Museum of Regional History to see archaeological and pi- oneer history along with Caddo arti- facts. Sightseers can tour the Ace of Clubs House, where legend says the fl oor plan was based on the Ace of Clubs that won a huge poker pot; take in a performance at the Perot Theatre or exhibit at the Regional Arts Cen- ter; or see automobiles of the past at the Four States Auto Museum. A visit to the Piney Woods Region
leaves visitors with many memories and opportunities to make more on a return trip. ★
getting there
DALLAS/FORT WORTH INTL. AIRPORT
www.dfwairport.com
HOUSTON-GEORGE BUSH INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT
www.fly2houston.com MORE TRAVEL INFORMATION ON PAGE 7.
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