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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.”

Museum of Regional History

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. 

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. I saw it when I looked up historical markers in Texarkana and immediately thought back to the lectures of the different immigrants that came over to America. I found it very interesting and thought it should be a historic on the Clio app. It doesn’t get very much attention, and, in my opinion, it is over looked. That is why I chose it for the Clio app project, so it can bring more attention to this historic house. With migration numbers going up in the United States and Italy and other southern European countries having wars many of the citizens wanted to start a new life elsewhere. Italy just finished its Independence war about 4 years before Cervini came to the United States. The population of the United States increased with 25 million immigrants coming over. Most being from Ireland, Germany, and England. But with the eastern and southern European countries having more and more immigrants coming over. With on the new arrivals many of the immigrants lived on the country side and lived mostly by race. With the all the immigrants come over meant more things had to open so there could be more jobs. At the period of time Cervini came over immigrants were perceived as less than the “Americans”. The whites thought them self’s as the greatest race above the Blacks and other races. Many immigrants would have to work more “low class” jobs likely not work alongside wealthier whites. Cervini didn’t come over and work in the slums but opened his own restaurant so that he could something he wanted and loved to do. At the time period in which Cervini came over to the states there was discrimination to immigrants, and they were seen as “low-class”. I believe his restaurant didn’t do too good at first because many of the whites didn’t want to support something an immigrant was doing. But as time went on, I do think his restaurant began to be accepted by the white Americans and that is how he paid to have his house built. The house would stay in the family through the Great Depression and two World Wars which also gives an historic significance. Cervini wanted to start fresh and make a better life for his family. He did it even though he was treated bad and could have had other ideas then to keep living up his dream. In class we learned of the different cultures that were migrating to America and how pour they were treated. Somehow Cervini did his best to make life better for his family not only then but as the years went on. With out the hard work of Cervini to provide for his family and he keep the house in the family, I don’t believe it would’ve been a historical site.

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. 

Cervini House

This two-story building designed by the
firm of Witt, Halsey, and Siebert still features the same red and sand-colored
brick design as it was debuted in 1930. The Black Chamber of Commerce formally
known as the Texarkana Negro Business League sponsored the opening of the
Jamison-Thompson-Weatherford building and was one of the many African
American&nbsp;ran and operated businesses within the building. The
building housed five offices and five suites on the second floor and on the
first floor were office spaces and an auditorium that seated up to two hundred
people.&nbsp; At one point the establishment
was home to three dentists, three doctors, two notaries, two insurance agents,
a realtor, a drug store, a beauty parlor, a barber shop and other such businesses.&nbsp; Although there were
many doctors and dentist that practiced, their work here this building was for
routine check-ups no surgeries were done inside this building.&nbsp; This building was not intended for just the
use of just Black businessmen in Texarkana, but it focused on reaching out and
helping the whole community. &nbsp;In 1935
Dunbar Highschool, an all-Black high school that is not around anymore, hosted
their prom inside the Jamison building when they were not allowed to book
places they wanted. As Texarkana started its integration phase, Black businesses
started leaving the Jamison building and going to better parts of town, where
they were not allowed before. The 1990s was the end of an era at the Jamison
building as all the businesses and people moved to other parts of town, but
with the building still standing today, it serves as a reminder of how people
within a community can come together to better the whole instead of themselves.&nbsp; The Jamison Building is
significant because it was one of the first buildings built for African
Americans by African Americans.&nbsp; It was
the economic center of the African American community for many years.

Garling Uriah Jamison Sr. was born in Smithville Mississippi
sometime between 1876 and 1880.&nbsp; He
graduated from the University of Illinois, College of Medicine and attended the
Institute of Surgery in Chicago.&nbsp; Jamison
began his medical practice in Texarkana in 1906.&nbsp; He was an active member of his community, and
eventually opened the Jamison Sanitarium where he was the chief surgeon for the
African American community.&nbsp; Jamison
served as president of the Texarkana Negro Business League.&nbsp; There objective was “unity, service and
stimulation of the desire to help not hinder the African American
community. &nbsp;To promote this mantra the Jamison
building was built.&nbsp; Jamison envisioned a
place for the African American community.&nbsp;
Jamison died on September 11th, 1951 and his buried beside
his wife at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Texarkana Ar. &nbsp;Dr. Garland
U.&nbsp;Jamison was not alone in his journey with the help of Dr. W. T.
Thompson and A. W. Weatherford, they created the Jamison-Thompson-Weatherford
building, which is known as the Jamison building now as the Jamison family
bought the rights from the other families.&nbsp;
Other contributors and their attributes are listed below.

Civil rights leader, Antonio Maceo Smith was born in
Texarkana on April 6, 1903.&nbsp; He attended
Fisk University in 1924 and went on to earn his MBA at New York University in
1928.&nbsp; He also went to graduate school at
Columbia Undivert for economics and business law.&nbsp; He was one of the co-owners of the Jamison
building, where he also ran his real estate business.&nbsp; He was also the master of ceremonies for the
grand opening of the Jamison Building.&nbsp;
He was sometimes referred to as “Mr. Civil Rights” and Mr. Organization
of Texas.&nbsp; Smith was on the national
board of directors for the NAACP.&nbsp; Smith
died on December 19,1977. 

Dr. W.T. Thompson, a practicing physician and surgeon,
was one of the owners and founders of the Jamison Building.&nbsp; Thompson was a graduate of the Meharry
Medical College.

A.W. Weatherford, co-owner and founder of the Jamison
building was a Relator and a former undertaker.&nbsp;
He was a member of the Mosaics for 27 years and a Grand master of the Mosaics
for Texas and Oklahoma.

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.

 The Jamison Building 

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. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; While the theatre itself was a great source of entertainment for the community it also had a great design element to it. The building had intricate windows that were set halfway up the building between the columns and set into the wall. It included Grecian architecture, ornate paintings and a gold leaf trim. Legend has it that the beam used to support the balcony was supposed to have been the biggest piece of steel ever seen in Texarkana. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In 1931 the Saenger theatre was purchased by the Paramount Public Corp. and throughout the following years it grew bigger and the theater attracted big groups of movie-goers. Even before then it was used for stage plays, reviews, and it also had silent films. This theatre has been purchased at least two times that I have found the first time was the Paramount Public Corp. and the second time was after the renovations and it was purchased by the Perot family. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once it was purchased by the Perot family they decided to add some personal touches of their own. Ross Perot included in the theatre a picture of his sister who had passed away and he also had a statue made for his little brother who was just 3 when he passed away in the theatre. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This theatre has gone through different changes such as: changes of owners and even decor. But it has still stood the test of time, since it was first built in the year of 1924. Which, is always something interesting to see how something from history has changed throughout time and adapted to fit the times now but, still has a touch of history in it for people to learn about entertainment in the previous years.

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. 

The Perot Theatre 

Texarkana was first founded as a railroad town. The Cairo &amp; Fulton Railroad, The Texas &amp; Pacific Railroad, The International and Great Northern Railroad, Texas Railroad, St Louis Railroad, The Transcontinental Railroad, and more all connected in Texarkana. The amount of cargo and railroad traffic that went through Texarkana quickly became substantial. Since Texarkana is a twin city that spans across the Arkansas/Texas state line, finding a place for a depot to efficiently serve both states and all railroads became a problem. Each state had its own depot and trains had to stop at both places when crossing the state line.&nbsp; They decided to build the new joint depot at the end of state line in downtown Texarkana. The first building, called the “red depot”, was completed in about 1890. As the city and economy grew so did the use of the Union Station. From 1929-1930 a larger, new Union Station was built in Texarkana. According to Historic Texarkana, it was a Renaissance style building that was the creation of A. B. Butterworth and E. M. Tucker. The station and the federal courthouse anchor the south and north ends of State Line Avenue, the dividing line between Arkansas and Texas. The building has entrances and exits into both states. Missouri Pacific and Texas and Pacific, the two carriers with the most passenger trains serving Texarkana Union Station, were able to operate through the facility without a backup move. Kansas City Southern and Cotton Belt passenger trains both made back-up moves to access the station.&nbsp; Life in Texarkana centered on the railroads from 1875 to the late 1950s. The population of the city grew immensely and rapidly because of the railroad. Downtown Texarkana and the surrounding areas quickly grew into a prosperous city that relied heavily on the railroad systems that came through the station. Texarkana Union Station was a big part of uniting both sides of the city in a fruitful and equally beneficial partnership. During the 1920s-1930’s the invention of the highway systems and freight hauling trucks posed a significant threat to the use of railroads to haul freight. The use of the Texarkana Union Station began to decline. On May 1, 1971 the last passenger train pulled out of Texarkana; however, freight traffic, though significantly less, continued until 2008.&nbsp; Today, the historic Texarkana Union Station sits empty and vacant. Amtrak runs passenger trains through a station next door to 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. 

Texarkana Union Station

While
in operation, The Hotel Grim was once the “crown jewel” of Texarkana. Completed
in 1925 by architects George Mann and Eugene Stern, the Hotel Grim cost
$600,000 to build. The hotel was dedicated to William Rhodes Grim, one of the
leaders of Texarkana who decided to build the hotel. With all the exquisite
details and beautiful decor&nbsp;the Hotel Grim quickly became the place to stay in
downtown Texarkana.Mr.
William Rhodes Grim was a successful businessman in Texarkana. He was a banker
for the Texarkana National Bank, a railroad man, and a lumber man. He served as
the President of the Louisiana &amp; Arkansas Railroad and later as a director
for the Kansas City Southern Railroad. Along with the other leaders of
Texarkana, Mr. Grim was working on a project to bring a grand hotel to
Texarkana. They had plans to build a hotel along State Line Avenue when Grim
died in January of 1924. The business leaders, as a tribute, decided to
dedicate the hotel to Mr. Grim and give it the name the Hotel Grim.1&nbsp;When
the hotel first opened, it was THE place to stay in Texarkana. The plan,
devised by the&nbsp;leaders
of Texarkana, was to create a grand hotel that Texarkana deserved. Of course,
they did just that. The hotel is a “V” shaped building with one side extending
down Pine Street and the other down State Line Avenue between Third and Fourth
Streets. It stands eight stories tall with 250 rooms inside. The exterior walls
of the hotel are made of alginate stone, reinforced with concrete. The hotel’s
main entrance was on State Line Avenue. In its glory days, the attributes of
the lobby were breathtaking. The lobby contained gorgeous Caen stone walls and
an Alabama marble floor. The ceiling tiles of the hotel lobby were decorated in
red, old gold, ivory, pale blue, and mottled amber. Even though the hotel has
been closed for almost twenty years, some of the marble and stone is still
there.&nbsp;The
Hotel Grim was once a super busy place in downtown Texarkana. On the first
floor of the hotel was the Palm Court, where afternoon teas, bridge games, and
small parties could be held. Also on the first floor, was a coffee shop that
was always filled with delicious pies and cakes. The mezzanine contained the
hotel’s very own beauty parlor, barber shop, and drug store. The hotel’s
ballroom was located on the eighth floor of the building and faced both Pine
Street and State Line Avenue. The hotel also had a magnificent rooftop garden
that could be turned into a ballroom if needed. The Grim was also known for
hosting important events such as: parties for the rich, big name jazz bands,
and was even known for having illegal card games for high rollers. One of the
many famous bands that played in the Hotel Grim was Tommy Dorsey’s band. In the
1930’s, the Hotel Grim really began to boom and became the hotspot of the city.
In 1934, the radio station, KCMC, even established a studio inside the hotel.In
1934, Bonnie and Clyde, the famous American criminals, were rumored to make an
appearance at the Hotel Grim. An employee of the hotel claims to have seen
Bonnie eating a sandwich in the hotel’s café while Clyde and Henry Methvin sat
in the car and waited on her. It was assumed that Clyde got edgy and sent Henry
in to get Bonnie. Henry came in, sat down, and acted like he was reading a
magazine. Once Bonnie made eye contact with him, she knew it was time to leave.
The hotel employee recognized Bonnie from a magazine photograph she had seen of
her.Even
though the hotel was in business for a little under 70 years, on October 20,
1990, the Hotel Grim closed its doors for good. Now the Hotel Grim, once the
hotspot of Texarkana, sits with plywood window coverings and numerous cobwebs.
Through the years, the hotel has been damaged by both humans and Mother Nature.
Windows were broken, curtains got torn down, and what was left of the furniture
was pretty much destroyed. There have been numerous discussions about
rebuilding the Hotel Grim. In 2017, the city of Texarkana was even approved for
a $1,429,000 loan guarantee assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development to restore the Hotel Grim into lofts for the public to rent.
The current plan is to build 96 housing units with commercial space on the
first floor.2&nbsp;With
all these future plans, maybe one day the grand Hotel Grim will be restored
into something as grand as it was in its former life.3

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.

The Hotel Grim

There is some local lore as to
how this house came to be and got its unique shape and features.&nbsp; The legend is that the house was built by
Confederate Veteran Captain James Draughon after he won $10,000 in a poker
match with the ace of clubs.&nbsp; He then
decided to build a mansion befitting of its origin.&nbsp; Three families lived here in its span as a
residence.&nbsp;&nbsp; The last owners of this
house, the Moores, then donated the house to the Texarkana Museum System in
1985.&nbsp; The house was remodeled, two years
later in 1987 and has served as a museum in Texarkana ever since.&nbsp; Inside, its rooms provide a peek into
Texarkana high society from 1880 to 1940.&nbsp;
Its rooms are ornate and extravagant, and they were inhabited for nearly
one hundred years.&nbsp; Now this house is one
of the most unique places not only in Texarkana, Texas but in the country.&nbsp; 

&nbsp;

 

&nbsp;

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.  

Ace of Clubs House

The Texarkana Post Office is unique as the only federal office that straddles state lines. The original post office building was constructed in 1892 and razed in 1930. The new building was finished in 1933 and featured a design that blended local materials from both states into the building. Engineers built the base of the building with granite from Texas while limestone from Arkansas formed the exterior walls. In a city where people from both states live and work on both sides of the state line, incorporating materials from both states into the building to represent the shared nature of the community this post office serves.

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. 

Texarkana Post Office

Hermon Lee Ensign's foundation continued to fund the construction of fountains until 1921. The fountains were produced by the Bodwell Granite Company of Maine and featured ornamentation made of brass and granite. The current location of the Ensign fountain is at the intersection of East Seventh and N. Stateline Ave. The Initial location of the Ensign Fountain was placed in front of the downtown post office as a watering trough for horses and dogs and to improve the scenery. The fountain was moved following complaints and concerns about traffic.

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. 

Hermon Lee Ensign Animal Fountain

James Bowie was born on March 10,
1796 and died March 6, 1836. He was a 19th-century American pioneer.
He was born in Kentucky but was raised in Louisiana. He grew up as a land
speculator but quickly began to gain fame through the Sandbar Fight. He
married the daughter of a Mexican Vice governor of the province.&nbsp; He was mostly known for The Alamo, but also for his knife. James Bowie was a fighter and a brawler. He was known for
killing an opponent of his with a huge knife. He was also a hero during the
battle of The Alamo. James Bowie became known to be a fighter and fought until
the end. He was killed during The Alamo along with his other defenders. 

The Alamo was a war that Texas fought against&nbsp;Mexico in 1836. The main defender that became famous in the Alamo&nbsp;is James
Bowie. Bowie specifically became known to be the “Bowie Knife”. He got into a couple of
fights and he pulled out his knife and claimed the name ever since. Bowie was a great leader and helped during the&nbsp;battles of the Texas revolution, but before that
he obtained friendships with Indians in search of silver and gold. 

Later on, Bowie lead the Battle of
Concepcion and in the Grass Fight near San Antonio. He was noble
and a fighter. He was a hero and died at the Battle of the Alamo. He obtained a
disease called “Pneumonia”, which is lung inflammation caused by a viral
infection.&nbsp; The historical significance
that Bowie has is he died defending the Texas fort. He was a Texas rebel who
contributed to the independence of Texas. Without people like James Bowie who
fought for the independence of Texas, they would not be able to fight for
future historical movements. For example, without the establishment of Texas
becoming its own state, who knows if there would have been a civil rights
movement that involved Texas. Texas could have simply just have stayed Mexican
territory. It is important to understand that all of the historical events that
have happened lead up to the history of today. 

James Bowie is a historical figure
that is very important to the history of Texas. Bowie was a brawler and played
an important role in the independence of Texas. The statue created to physically
show is a long-lasting legacy. What he fought for and what he did will always
remain a part of history and will always be honored in Texas. This statue is
available for the public to see and honor James Bowie Legacy.

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. 

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Texarkana History Walking Tour

Museum of Regional History

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