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PALESTINE,
TEXAS
Anderson County
Seat, East Texas
Junction of Hwy 84, 79 and 19
108 miles SE of Dallas
150 miles N of Houston
36 miles SE of Athens on
Hwy 19
Population: 17,598 (2000)
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Missouri Pacific Passenger Depot circa 1953, razed
Spring Street, Palestine, Texas
Photo courtesy Maurice Higginbotham |
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The
Original County Seat was a town named Fort
Houston. When the State declared that County Seats be at the
geographic center of the county, Andersonians took them seriously
and moved the two miles it required. Fort Houston melted into oblivion.
The County was
named for vice-president of Texas Kenneth Lewis Anderson.
There is a rumor that the city was named after Palestine, Illinois.
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Palestine
Texas Attractions
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Texas State
Railroad State Historical Park
• Palestine is joined to nearby Rusk
(25 miles) by the Texas State Railroad. This antique steam train
is operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. The train operates
from March to October. 1-800-442-8951 for reservations.
• Murder on
the Disoriented Express
In October a local theater group performs Murder on the Disoriented
Express on the train. This is a fund raising effort for the Palestine
Library and the tickets include a buffet dinner. Make reservations
by calling 1-800-659-3484.
• The
Texas State Railroad and the Texas Forest Trail
• The
Texas State Railroad by Archie P. McDonald, PhD ("All
Things Historical" Column)
Museum for
East Texas Culture at 400 Micheaux Ave in Reagan Park. The museum
puts to excellent use the former Palestine High School (c.1916).
The Statue of John H. Reagan was sculpted by Pompeo Coppini in 1908
and was cast in Rome.
Howard House
Museum at 1011 N. Perry Street. A Texas Historic Landmark, the
house was built in the mid-1800s and bought by the city in 1963.
Open Saturdays and Sundays 12:00 to 5:00, group tours by appointment.
Palestine’s
Texas Theater by Bob Bowman 2-4-07
While visiting Palestine a few months back, I learned that the Texas
Theater, one of the grand old movie houses of East Texas, has been
restored and is now a setting for community stage productions. The
Texas is not only a landmark for Palestine, but for me....
Palestine
Hotels > Book
Your Hotel Here & Save
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Anderson
County Jail
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, April 2006 |
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Palestine
School
Photo courtesy Lori Martin, December 2005 |
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The
Federal Building
Photo courtesy Lori Martin, December 2005 |
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The
Ivanhoe Building
Photo courtesy Lori Martin, December 2005 |
Palestine
Texas Natural Attractions
Dogwood
Late March
and early April is a wonderful time to visit. Anderson County
has some of the nicest rolling hills and dogwood trees bloom in
profusion just before the deciduous trees leaf out.
Davey Dogwood
Park
Just north of
town is Davey Dogwood Park, 200 acres of streams, trees and winding
roads. The perfect place for a spring picnic. For information on
current conditions call Texas Dogwood Trails Inc. at 903-729-7275.
Wisteria
Trail
Palestine is
also on the unofficial East Texas "Wisteria Trail."
Palestine
Community Forest
There's another 700 acres in Palestine Community Forest.
Just NW of town, this park offers memorable autumn views
due to the proliferation of Sweetgum and Yaupon Trees.
Lake Palestine
Over 25,000 acres. Marina and swimming beach. Twenty miles north.
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Sycamore
Street
Old postcard TE archives |
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Spring
Street
Old postcard TE archives |
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Carnegie Library in Palestine, now Palestine Chamber of Commerce
TE photo |
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Palestine
City Hall
Old postcard TE archives |
Palestine
Tourist Information
Palestine Area
Chamber of Commerce
502 N. Queen St. P.O. Box 1177 Palestine, Texas 75802
Phone: (903) 729-6066
Their website: http://www.palestinechamber.org/
The 1914 former Carnegie Library building has been put
to use as the Palestine Chamber of Commerce. Among the historic photographs
on display there is a panoramic view of the old railroad station and
the businesses along the tracks.
The Chamber will
provides brochures of the Driving Tour (thoughtfully illustrated
with photographs) and the Downtown walking tour, listing 23
points of interest with pertinent facts about each, as well as information
on all local attractions.
© John Troesser
More photos by Lori
Martin |
Palestine Texas
Forum
Subject:
It is wonderful town!
I was reading all the wonderful stories on my hometown of Palestine,Texas
and it made me glad to be from a small town. It was great place
to grow up and still is to this day. When I travel my mind often
return to Palestine. I am now forty years old and I still get lump
in my throat when at dusk the light come on Ave A all the way to
the Anderson County Courthouse on top of the hill as it stand there
in all it beauty. - Rodney Paul Smith Palestine,TX, April 12,
2007
Anyone wishing to share history, stories, travel or historic photos
of Palestine, Texas, please contact
us.
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Your Hotel Here & Save
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This page for
Palestine, Texas sponsored by: 10/01
Sandy Fiedler 5,00
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