the environment. Exhibits and talking robots trace the effects of Spindletop and how it began the modern petroleum industry. Admission charge. 600 Main St. 409/833-5100.
www.texasenergymuseum.org.
TYRRELL HISTORICAL LIBRARY—Landmark 1903 Romanesque-Gothic former Baptist Church houses thousands of books on Texas history, genealogical resources and art. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 695 Pearl. 409/833-2759.
http://beaumonttexas.gov/departments/library/ library-branches/tyrrell-library.
TYRRELL PARK—Take a stroll through the 10-acre Beaumont Botanical Gardens, which showcases themed gardens with modern and antique roses, herbs and Camellias. The Warren Loose Conservatory contains plants from around the world, plus special collections of bromeliads and palm trees. It is home to an annual butterfly release celebration. Free. Tyrrell Park Road off Fannett (Texas 124). 409/842-3135.
http://beaumontbotanicalgardens.org. Cattail Marsh includes 900-acres of wetlands and
Texas Energy Museum in Beaumont explores the Texas oil industry.
Exit 854. 409/833-4622 or 800/392-4401.
www.babedidriksonzaharias.org.
BIG THICKET PRESERVE—See KOUNTZE.
BROWN-SCURLOCK GALLERIES—Operated by the Beaumont Art League, the galleries feature changing exhibits and art classes. 2675 Gulf St. 409/833-4179.
CHAMBERS HOUSE—Built in 1906, this historic house museum has been restored to reflect the years 1920- 45. The house has all of the original family furniture and artifacts, which tell an intriguing and delightful story of this middle-class Beaumont family. 2240 Calder Ave. 409/832-4010.
www.chambershouse.org.
CLIFTON STEAMBOAT MUSEUM—Honors military and civilian heroes with galleries showcasing wars fought in Southeast Texas and Louisiana, as well as the Steamboat era, World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Art galleries feature original bronze sculptures, Native American artists, wildlife and frontier paintings from famous artists. A special Boy Scout gallery displays artifacts dating before the 1960s. 8727 Fannett Road. 409/842-3162.
www.cliftonsteamboatmuseum.com.
CROCKETT STREET ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT— Premiere downtown entertainment district offers an expansive array of food, live music and dancing. A variety of nightclubs and bars feature musical genres, ranging from blues to traditional country music. 409/833-1700.
DISHMAN ART MUSEUM—Home of the Heinz and Ruth Eisenstadt Collection—porcelains, paintings, sculptures, a German Biedermeier dining-room suite, display cabinets and carpets. Art exhibitions draw from Lamar University student and faculty artists, plus local and national artists. On Lamar University Campus at U.S. 69 south at MLK Parkway. 409/880-8959.
http://fineartscomm.lamar.edu/dishman-art-museum.
EDISON MUSEUM—Inside the historic Travis Street Station, explore the largest collection of Thomas Edison’s inventions west of the Mississippi. Through interactive exhibits and more than 60 artifacts, the museum interprets Edison’s inventions and innovations. 350 Pine St. 409/981-3089.
www.edisonmuseum.org.
FIRE MUSEUM OF TEXAS—This former fire station displays antique bells, leather buckets, nozzles, vintage fire engines and the world’s largest working fire hydrant. The “Fire Safety Activity Center” teaches fire prevention and has a safety house, toy collections and puppet theater. 400 Walnut. In the old Central Fire Station. 409/880-3927.
www.fmotassn.com.
54
GATOR COUNTRY ADVENTURE PARK—Gator Country is Texas’ only alligator theme park. With more than 300 alligators, Caymans and crocodiles, Gator Country offers guests a hands-on experience. Cajun food and gift shop available. Admission charge. At I-10 and Exit 838 (F.M. 365). 409/794-9453.
www.gatorrescue.com.
HIGH ISLAND BOY SCOUT WOODS AND SMITH OAKS NATURE SANCTUARIES—These Houston Audubon Society bird sanctuaries are located on a salt dome that stands out above the surrounding marshland. Spring migration is usually mid-March–mid-May; fall migration is August-October. Admission charge. About 47 miles south of Beaumont off of Texas 124 in High Island. 713/932-1639.
www.houstonaudubon.org.
JEFFERSON THEATRE—Built in 1927, this renovated vaudeville house hosts a variety of shows throughout the year. It is in the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. 345 Fannin (George Jones Place, Downtown). 409/838-3435.
JOHN JAY FRENCH HOUSE MUSEUM—Historic pioneer settlement house built in 1845 by John Jay French, a tanner and merchant. Features antique furnishings, clothing and household utensils. Outbuildings include blacksmith shop, corncrib and smokehouse. Admission charge. 3025 French Road. 409/898-0348.
http://beaumontheritage.org/ john-jay-french-house.
MCFADDIN-WARD HOUSE—A restored beaux-arts colonial mansion and carriage house (1906-08), the main house showcases the lifestyle of a wealthy, early 20th-century Southeast Texas family. The carriage house contains servants’ quarters. Reservations advisable. Admission charge. 1906 Calder Ave. 409/832-2134.
www.mcfaddin-ward.org.
NECHES RIVER ADVENTURES—Enjoy a leisurely trip down the Neches River in this comfortable, open boat while guides showcase the river’s unique ecosystem. 701 Main St. In Riverfront Park. 409/651-5326.
www.nechesriveradventures.org.
SPINDLETOP-GLADYS CITY BOOMTOWN MUSEUM— Represents the boomtown with typical clapboard buildings, including an information center, post office, photo studio, saloon, livery stable, blacksmith shop, surveyor’s office and wooden oil derricks. Includes a Lucas Gusher Monument. Admission charge. 5550 Jimmy Simmons Blvd. 409/880-1750.
www.spindletop.org.
TEXAS ENERGY MUSEUM—Definitive museum on oil industry spotlights 19th-century discoveries and includes temporary exhibits on energy science and
offers more than eight miles of gravel levee roads for jogging, hiking, biking, horseback riding, wildlife watching, and picnicking along Hildebrandt Bayou and Willow Marsh Bayou. The marsh is a refuge for aquatic mammals and more than 350 species of birds. 5305 Tyrrell Park Road.
BRAZORIA POP. 3,090
ALT. 20 MAP S-21/CC-12
BRAZORIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VISITOR CENTER: Brazoria Civic Center Building, 202 W. Smith St. 979/798-6100.
www.brazoriachamber.net.
On the banks of the Brazos River, the city was founded in 1828 by Stephen F. Austin as one of his original Texas settlements. Brazoria derives its name from the Spanish word abrazar, meaning embrace, which was the Brazos River’s original name. Today, visitors can find restaurants, bed-and-breakfasts and easy access to nearby beaches. Built in 1939, the Brazoria Historic Bridge was the
first traffic bridge on the Brazos River. This bridge is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Brazoria Heritage Foundation restored the
1933 elementary school and created the Brazoria Civic Center (979/798-2273 or 979/236-0241). The San Bernard River offers plenty of oppor-
tunities for boating, fishing, and jet skiing. It also is the location of the annual Christmas boat parade (979/964-4402.
www.sanbernardriver.com).
BRAZORIA MUSEUM—The museum features exhibits on Dr. Sophie Hertzog, the first female railroad doctor in Texas; early city history; copies of Mexican land treaties; the area’s early plantation life; and Civil War and Texas Ranger memorabilia. Free. 202 W. Smith St. 979/798-1414.
www.brazoriahf.org. The Train Museum—Shows the history of how the
railroad helped shape the area. Free. 202 W. Smith St. 979/798-1414.
MASONIC OAK—In the shadows of a large oak tree, a group of Masons met on March 1, 1835, to sign the first Masonic Charter in Texas. The tree is part of the Texas Independence Trail. A granite plaque stands beside the tree. A map is available at the chamber of commerce. South side of Pleasant Street.
www.grandlodgeoftexas. org/content/masonic-oak.
BRAZOSPORT AREA POP. (Comb.) 58,532 (est.) ALT. 15-32
MAP S-21
BRAZOSPORT CONVENTION AND VISITOR COUNCIL: 300 Abner Jackson Parkway. 979/285-2501.
www.visitbrazosport.com.
Comprised of eight cities at the mouth of the Brazos River—Clute, Freeport, Jones Creek, Lake Jackson, Oyster Creek, Quintana Beach, Richwood and Surfside Beach. Stephen F. Austin’s original settlers, the Old 300 first stepped off the schooner Lively
PHOTO: KEVIN STILLMAN/TXDOT
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