Home to one of the largest festivals of lights in the United States, Marshall, Texas is a quaint town located about 40 miles west of Shreveport, Louisiana. Marshall has a population of about 23,000 people and was founded in 1841.
A Real Time Driving Tour of Marshall, Texas.
A Brief History of Marshall, Texas.
Marshall was once one of the largest cities in Texas. The telegraph and railroad connections came early to Marshall allowing the town to develop into an important economic and cultural hub. Much of the wealth of the town was derived from the sale of cotton that was grown with slave labor. During the Civil War, Marshall sold supplies to the Confederacy and served as a meeting location for Confederate leadership.
What to do in Marshall, Texas?
Start your day off with a nice cappuccino at either Joe Pine Coffee Co. or R&R Bakery and Coffee Shop, both local shops are conveniently located in town.
Then learn about the history of the town at the Harrison County Historical Museum, located in the historical courthouse. The building has been restored and features exhibits and artifacts from the local community.
After finishing up at the museum walk around and take a look at the downtown. Continue exploring and see some of the beautiful historic homes that Marshall is known for. If you want to tour one of the homes go to the Starr Family Home State Historic Site which is preserved as a museum. If you are interested in an art museum check out the Michelson Museum of Art.
Swing by the Texas and Pacific Railway Depot Museum to learn about the role of the railroad in the area. The museum is housed in a train depot that was built in 1912 and has since been restored. The depot still functions as an Amtrak stop.
After working up a large appetite exploring the town, sit down to a fancy dinner at nearby Ginocchio’s.