Things to Do in Palestine

by saraheg77
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Mark in front of the
Railroad

The Texas State Railroad dates back to the late 1800's when the TexasPrison System opened the East Texas Penitentiary in Rusk, Texas. The railroad was opened to transport timber and iron ore. After renovation, the railroad was reworked and reopened in 1976 as a tourist attraction to provide rides from Palestine to Rusk.

The office is opened 8am - 5pm to make a reservation for a ride. Check the website for a schedule.
Prices:
Adult Round trip $16 or $22 for climate controlled.
Child Round trip $10 or $14 for climate controlled.
Children under 3 travel free.

Mark and I didn't have time to take the train ride, but it looked fun. There is also a small gift shop to browse in and lots of pictures on the walls to look through from the early days of the railroad.

Address: Hwy 84

Phone: (800) 442-8951

Directions: From Hwy 79, take the Loop 256 south to Hwy 84 and go east on 84 for a couple of miles.

Website: http://www.texasstaterailroad.com/

Other Contact: info@texasstaterailroad.com

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	Old Gatewood and Shelton Gin Tip Rating:

Updated By keeweechic

on January 25, 2004

In 1937, during the great depression, Gatewood and Shelton built a new gin which offered local cotton growers a new modern gin which continued to operate until the 1950's when low production forced it to close. Shelton Hall is now listed on the national register of historic places

Address: Old Town Palestine, E. Crawford, Palestine

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	Hinzie Building Tip Rating:

Updated By keeweechic

on March 15, 2004

Martin Hinzie built this elaborately styled building in 1878. He was a local realtor who made but also lost a fortune. The building has had housed many different business over the years including as an architects office, men's store, ladies clothing store, a fish and oyster market and a jewellery store.

Address: 111 W. Spring St, Palestine

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	MaryJean's Tip Rating:

Updated By keeweechic

on January 25, 2004

MaryJean's is set up in the old tin barn in the Old Town across the street from the Old Mercantile. They have lots of lovely gifts and home decorator things like feathered and Beaded Pillows, Lamps and Feather Dusters which are made in Palestine.

Address: Old Town Palestine, 302 E. Crawford , Palestine

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	Palestine Nursery Tip Rating:

Updated By keeweechic

on January 25, 2004

Set up in one of the old buildings of Old Town Palestine is this nursery which specialises in rare and hard to find medicinal herbs, tropicals, evergreens, annuals and perennials which are all organically grown and chemical free.

Around the seed house are beautiful landscaped grounds. You can buy fresh herbs as well as essential oils.

Address: East Crawford Street, Palestine

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	Masonic Temple Tip Rating:

Updated By keeweechic

on March 15, 2004

The Masonic Lodge or Temple is one of the oldest organisations in Anderson County and was unofficially established in 1846. For the first two years, meetings were held in members homes until the lodge was built in 1848. In 1859 the masons built a 2 story structure to provide a school for boys with a meeting hall on the 2nd floor. They later constructed a separate schoolhouse for girls in 1852.

This is the 3rd lodge which has 3 floors. The first floor was split into 3 separate stores for rental to local merchants. The second floor was styled as the city's first Opera House and the third floor was the meeting rooms for the lodge.

Address: 401 W Debard St, Palestine

Directions: cnr Queen St & Debard St

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	Museum for East Texas Culture Tip Rating:

Updated By keeweechic

on March 15, 2004

The Museum which was opened in 1982, is set up in the old Palestine High School building which was designed and built in 1915/16. Some of the exhibits include the railway room, The Fire Department Room, The Reagan Campbell Room, The Main Floor Hallway. There is also a vast collection of business and commercial historical documents as well as genealogy records stored there. Located right next to Reagan Park.

Open : Mon-Sat 10.00 - 5.00, Sun 1.00 - 4.00. Admission $1.00

Address: 400 S Micheaux St, Palestine

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	Old Town Mercantile Tip Rating:

Updated By keeweechic

on March 15, 2004

The Old Town Mercantile is set up in what was originally an automotive repair shop. There was also an old Mule Barn where the horses and mules were available for the farmers using the Gin. They have a great collection of cottage and cabin decor as well as all the bits and bobs for your garden decoration as well.

Address: 215 E. Crawford Street, Palestine

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	McClure-McReynolds-Fowler House Tip Rating:

Updated By keeweechic

on January 25, 2004

The house was built by Judge McClure in 1849 when he moved to Palestine. He was the first district clerk for Anderson County and co-owner of the regions first newspaper, the 'Trinity Advocate' . Originally the house was built as a centre passage dwelling but the next owner, Zacharia McReynolds altered it in 1884 to a U-shape plan. McReynolds was a confederate veteran from Georgia and was held many jobs such as district clerk, county clerk, county judge, tax collector and postmaster. McReynolds daughter married John Reagan's grandson, Colonel Godfrey Fowler and the couple retired to the house in1934 when her father died. The house is still in the McReynolds family.

Address: 921 N. Perry Street, Palestine

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	Shelton Hall Tip Rating:

Updated By keeweechic

on January 25, 2004

The old Shelton Gin, one of the earliest Gin's in Palestine which began its operations in early 1840's. Originally the Eureka Cotton Gin, which later changed its name to the Morris Gin Company, occupied the Old Shelton Gin site. The ginning season was a fairly short one and operations were only for a few months of the year.