Texarkana History Walking Tour

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Joseph Cervini came to Texarkana from Genoa, Italy in 1884 to for a better life. He opened a family restaurant on Spruce St. in Texarkana. After getting profits from land investments, he had his home built in 1914. He would pass away shortly after in 1922. The Cervini house stayed in the family for almost 70 years.

2. The Jamison Building

The Jamison building, originally known as the Jamison-Thompson-Weatherford building, opened in 1930. It served as an office complex for African Americans and was the first building in the area built for Black professionals. The Jamison building was the backbone of the African American community. This building was not just for professional use, it also served as the center of the Black community, hosting many events that could not be held in other parts of town. Although the Jamison building is now vacant it served a big role in helping develop the African American community in Texarkana. The Jamison building has been a Texas Historic Landmark since 1983.

3. The Perot Theatre

The Perot theatre has been a landmark since it was known as the Saenger Amusement Company’s, “Gateway to the Southwest” in 1924. The theatre itself was designed by Emil Weil, and was constructed by Brashears Construction Co. and it took a total of 17 months to complete. Interesting fact is that there was already a Saenger theatre in the area across the street but, the theatre that was built in 1924 was a lot bigger. A quote from Ruth Ellen Whitt says, “The Saenger from the time it was built and opened, has always been recognized as a crown jewel in the community.” So, you can see that this theatre was supposed to be big and great and people thought that it was.

4. Texarkana Union Station

Located in downtown Texarkana, Texarkana Union Station was built to serve many railroad companies that ran through the twin cities of Texarkana in 1930.

5. Museum of Regional History

Home of the Wilbur Smith Research Library, the Museum of Regional History is Texarkana’s first and oldest museum. The museum houses a variety of exhibits that chronicle history of the East Texas and West Arkansas from the time of the Caddo. A highlight of the museum offers a history of native son Scott Joplin, widely-known as the “Father of Ragtime.”

6. The Hotel Grim

Located in downtown Texarkana, the Hotel Grim was once one of the most prestigious hotels of the twin city. Now abandoned, the Grim stands in the heart of a city that lies in two states. Although the Hotel Grim stands on the Texas side of famous State Line Avenue, it is only a few steps across the street to the state of Arkansas. Where once stood Texarkana’s “crown jewel,” is now an empty building full of memories and old furniture.

7. Ace of Clubs House

Located at 420 Pine Street in Texarkana, Texas, the Ace of Clubs House, also known as the Draughon-Moore House, is a National Register property and a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark with some distinct features. Built in 1885 as a private residence this Italianate, Victorian home is in the shape of a club, from a deck of playing cards. This house is considered to be one of the most unique in the country with three octagonal wings and one rectangular wing adjoining at a central octagon shaped stair hall. A twenty-foot tower and spiral staircase make this home even more unique.

8. Texarkana Post Office

The cities of Texarkana Texas and Texarkana Arkansas each operated separate post offices until 1892, when this joint post office was constructed on the border between the two states. In 1930, that structure was demolished and replaced with this post office which was completed in 1933. Builders used pink granite from Texas for the base of the new post office as well as Arkansas limestone for the walls of the structure. Currently, the Texarkana Post Office is the only federal office building in the United States that is located on a state line.

9. Hermon Lee Ensign Animal Fountain

Two years prior to his death in 1899, Hermon Lee Ensign established the National Humane Alliance and willed his fortune to provide drinking fountains for animals in any city that requested one from the foundation. Texarkana was one of over a hundred cities that benefitted from Ensign's philanthropy and now this is one of only a handful of the purpose-built fountains that are still operable. The fountain was originally located downtown and was moved twice, but still serves as a reminder of a time before the widespread adoption of the automobile when travelers needed a place to water their horses.

10. James Bowie Statue

The statue of James Bowie is one of the 14 statues erected for the 1936 Texas Centennial celebration. This large bronze statue is located in Texarkana, Texas, in Bowie County. The exact location of the statue 33° 25.796′ N, 94° 2.606′ W. The marker is at the intersection of North State Line Avenue and Hazel Street, it is on the left when traveling north on North State Line Avenue. The statue is near 800 North State Line Avenue, Texarkana TX 75501. This site is public and outside and located near the Central Christian church.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

Texarkana History Walking Tour

Created by Clio Admin on September 24th 2020, 8:06:28 pm.

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Description

This walk through historic Texarkana begins on the Texas side of town with stops at the Cervini House, Jamison Building, and Perot Theatre and then straddles the state line along the Texas side with additional stops at the town's historic railroad depot, Hotel Grim, and the Museum of Regional History. The tour continues with the Ace of Clubs House and the town's historic post office before crossing into Arkansas for a unique historic fountain. The tour concludes at the statue to James Bowie.

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Texarkana History Walking Tour

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