On a recent work trip, Melissa and I were driving from Victoria to Houston to Minden, Louisiana to Mansfield, Louisiana to Hennessey, Oklahoma. The trip will be done in a couple of posts, as true Kim and Melissa fashion, we found new things to check out along the way! We’ve done this a couple of times, but this time, we had something different:
This was our inaugural trip with the Part Time Gypsy Wagon (a 2014 Fireside by Springdale that we purchased after she had flooded and then sat unopened and untouched for a couple of years). She was travel worthy, and had been scrubbed top to bottom at least 4 times, but still mid-remodel, so there was little but a shell – A/C, supplemented with a window A/C, refrigerator, stove, and bare floors that my husband and son finished replacing the day before we left. We couldn’t even use the water, as we had determined the leak was in the bathroom, but flooded it again before we realized it had not been repaired (luckily, this happened BEFORE we finished replacing the floors). Melissa helped cover the wood with some carpet squares and rugs, her hubby moved a futon and twin mattress inside her, and away we went! We found everything else we needed along the way.
So, as we were traveling back through Texas to catch the highway to head north, we both saw a billboard. We didn’t catch much, except that it was advertising a General Store, and the sign said Coffee 5 cents!!! In this economy (or really, ANY economy), and being coffee lovers, we both decided we had to check it out!
We found an old-style town square, complete with cobblestone streets.
Before I tell you where it was, watch this short slideshow I put together for it:
Did you catch the name of the town?
Jefferson, Texas! We will definitely have to go back – it is on our radar now, and we won’t rest until we get another trip in. Jefferson is known for being pre-Civil War, and most places put the birthdate of the town in 1836. It’s mentioned in historical records as early as 1840, so it’s somewhere around that time period. We visited the town square, parking our Gypsy Wagon right on the cobblestones, and walked around town a bit. The Jefferson General Store – which has been around since the 1870s was amazing – complete with 5 cent coffee, candy by the pound, a variety of locally made salsas, toys from days gone bye, and so much more! We couldn’t help but pick up a few things while we were there.
It was near closing time, so the only other shop we made it in before closing was the Jefferson Fudge Company. Their website doesn’t appear to be up, so I’ve linked their Facebook page instead. We slipped in right before closing, and they were incredibly welcoming and accommodating, answering questions and chatting about the chocolates. We bought a few and left so we didn’t keep them overlong, but there was a huge selection of other items in the store that I definitely want to check out next time as well!
After leaving, we found that the city itself is known for it’s history – find it here! It’s also known to be haunted. Melissa and I can’t wait to go back!!
Stay tuned for more adventures of Part Time Gypsy Souls!
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