Constructed in 1906, this historic home is open for public tours which include exhibits about Beaumont's history original furnishings, and decorative items. The home and museum is operated by the Beaumont Heritage Society. To highlight the uniqueness of a middle-class historic house time-capsule experience, the organization encourages visitors to contrast their visit to the Chambers house with a visit to the McFaddin-Ward house on the same street. That lavish home, also curated by the Beaumont Heritage Society as a time-capsule display, details the lifestyles of an upper-class Beaumont family whose fortune was made through agriculture and oil discovery.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the McFaddin-Ward House Museum strives to showcase the history of the house for the public. This museum is a part of the surrounding community, and those who run it devote their time to preserving the history of the house and showcasing it for the public education and enrichment. The McFaddin-Ward House is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
Constructed in 1930, the Mildred Buildings are striking examples of Mediterranean Revival architecture. The complex consists of the three-story apartment building, a one-story commercial structure, and a large garage that is attached to the commercial building. They were built by wealthy oilman Miles Frank Yount, who named them after his daughter Mildred. The apartments and commercial buildings feature exterior walls covered in terra cotta, brick, and decorative concrete elements, and bronze and wood decorative screens and balustrades. Interesting features of the apartment building include stained and leaded-glass windows, and an arcade above the main entrance with spindled columns and red tile roof. The commercial building features an arched arcade, a terra cotta parapet with finials, and three towers.
The Woman's Club of Beaumont has served as an integral part of the community since it was founded in 1895 and operates from a headquarters that is located in this historic building designed in the Classical Revival style in 1909. Over the years, this building has not only has housed the activities of the club but has also hosted numerous social, artistic, and cultural events for the community. Over the years, this building has been the location of banquets, dances, plays, musical performances, and art exhibits, and the building is available to rent for these types of events today. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
The Fire Museum of Texas is dedicated to preserving regional fire service history, educating people about fire safety, and commemorating the contributions of the fire service. The museum is housed in the Beaumont Fire Department’s Central Fire Station, a two-story, seven-bay station built in 1927. Opened originally as the Beaumont Fire Department Historical Museum in 1984, the Fire Museum of Texas has been endorsed by the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshals’ Association as the official fire museum of Texas since 1986.
The Edison Museum of Beaumont, Texas is a science and history museum dedicated to depicting the life and inventions of famed American inventor, Thomas Alva Edison. Located on what is now known as Edison Plaza, the building that houses the museum was formerly the Gulf States Utilities Travis Street Power Substation. The museum features interactive exhibits about the innovations of Edison. Additionally, many of Edison's inventions are kept in the museum, such as the phonograph, incandescent light bulb, and selected early motion pictures created by Edison.
Constructed in 1927 by the Jefferson Amusement Company for the motion picture company Saenger Amusements, this historic theater was designed by internationally known architect Emile Weil. Today, Jefferson Theatre is a historic entertainment venue and one of the highlights of downtown Beaumont. Weil designed a number of other Saenger theaters including ones in New Orleans, Pensacola, and Shreveport. Jefferson Theatre exhibits a blend of architectural styles with classical elements, cast relief panels, and a green Spanish tile roof. Another notable feature is the set of three double doors with a small balcony with an ornamental railing. Two doors are topped by pediments while the center is topped by a decorative cartouche. Inside, the theatre features a Spanish theme and a restored historic Robert Morton organ.
The Tyrrell Historical Library was built in 1903 and was originally the First Baptist Church. By 1928, the congregation outgrew it and moved elsehwhere. Captain W. C. Tyrrell bought it that same year and donated it to the city in order for it to become a library. The city library operated there from 1926 to 1974 when a new one was established. However, the library still housed a Texana and genealogical collection and became known as the Tyrrell Historical Library. The building underwent a restoration in 1987 and reopened in 1990, this time also housing an archival collection on Southeast Texas.
Designed by Fred Stone and A. Babin in the Art Deco style, the Jefferson County Courthouse was built in 1931 and its tall central tower makes it one of the tallest courthouses in the state. It is the fourth courthouse built for the county. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 for of its architecture and the fact that it reflects the economic growth Beaumont experienced by the time of the building's construction.
The Port of Beaumont was officially designated as its own political entity in 1949 but its history as a port dates back to 1837, coinciding with the founding of the city. For several decades only shallow boats could travel up the Neches River. Eventually, dredging of a canal down to 12 feet began in 1876. The founding of Port Arthur in the late 1890s prompted Beaumont to dredge its canal in 1908 to 9 feet deep. It was dredged once again to 25 feet in 1916, and then down to 30 feet in 1922. Today, the canal is 40 feet deep. In 1971, the Harbor Island Marine Terminal was built, offering storage and vessel berthing space. The canal allows ships from all over the world sail the 41 miles inland to reach Beaumont.
Dedicated in 1932, the Colonel George Moffett Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution had this memorial built in honor of the Texas soldiers of World War I. The structure is comprised of granite from Colorado. It also features stained glass windows, one which depicts an American sailor, soldier, and airman and another that shows the nation's allies in its fight against Germany. The Temple houses a small museum and is open on most patriotic holidays.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This tour starts in the Oaks Historic District and includes several historic homes including the McFaddin-Ward House Museum before making its way east to the downtown area. Highlights of the tour include the Woman's Club of Beaumont, several museums, Jefferson Theatre, the Tyrell Historical Library, Jefferson County Courthouse, and the Temple to the Brave.
