The city was founded in 1841 when Peter Whetstone offered Harrison County Commissioners land for a courthouse, a church and a school if they would only locate on his land in the middle of the county. Whetstone's offer was accepted, and by 1842 Marshall was the county seat. Civic leader Isaac Van Zandt named the town in honor of United States Supreme Court Justice John Marshall. Marshall, the first town in Texas with a telegraph, providing a connection with New Orleans, thereby had one of the most important newspapers in antibellum Texas, The Texas Republican , published by fire-eating Robert Lowery. By 1860 it was one of the wealthiest, largest towns in Texas, home of the first - Edward Clark - and last - Pendleton Murrah - Confederate governors of the state. Marshall was headquarters for much of the Trans Mississippi Department of the Confederate States of America, as well as the Confederate Capital of Missouri, adding a seventh flag to the six others that flew over the Lone Star State. Jay Gould brought the Texas and Pacific Railroad to Marshall in 1871 - lured by the promise of land and $300,000 from the coffers of the county. For a time, the T.&P. shops provided one out of every four jobs in town. Because Marshall also became a cotton-shipping center for East Texas, even more jobs were dependent on the rails. It was during the railroad era that many of the large homes and successful mercantile business were established. The town was and remains an educational center, beginning with Wiley College in 1873, Bishop College in 1881- which later moved to Dallas, the College of Marshall (now East Texas Baptist University) in 1914, and Texas State Technical College in 1993. As the cotton and railroad jobs disappeared, they were replaced by jobs in small manufacturing - particularly in the pottery industry. One pottery in 1848 has expanded to a dozen, including the Untied States' largest manufacturer of red clay pots. They are a major attraction for the growing tourist industry. Marshall is an area second to none in its offering to the sports enthusiast including tennis, bowling and golf, as well as fishing, hunting, camping, and watersports at nearby Caddo Lake and Lake O’ the Pines - two of the best fishing and recreational lakes in Texas. Annual events include Josey’s World Championship Junior Barrel Race and Stagecoach Days in May, Tennessee Walking Horse Show in July, the FireAnt Festival in October, and the Wonderland of Lights Christmas Festival Thanksgiving thru New Years.

INFORMATION CONTACT: Greater Marshall Chamber of Commerce, 213 W. Austin, P.O. Box 520, Marshall, Tx 75671. Ph. (903) 935-7868.

TRANSPORTATION: Railroad: Amtrak, Bus Lines: Trailways; Greyhound. Other Ground Services: Taxi, Car Rental

SPORTS: Horseracing at nearby Louisiana Downs Racetrack. Riverboat Casinos only 35 minutes from Marshall. (Collegiate) East Texas Baptist University, basketball and baseball; Wiley College, basketball and baseball.

ATTRACTIONS: MARSHALL CIVIC CENTER AND THEATER–Hosts an array of performing arts. Seats 1600, Civic Center for trade shows, conventions.

MARSHALL REGIONAL ARTS COUNCIL–Join us for 4 exciting shows! All performances will be held in the Marshall Theater in the Civic Center at 7:30 p.m. Group rates available. Call for information and ticket reservations today, (903) 935-4484.

THE ALLEN HOUSE, 610 N. Washington, Marshall, 75670. Ph. (903) 935-2518. A showcase of restored Victorian splendor built in 1877 and listed in the National Register of His. Places. Open by appointment.

CADDO LAKE STATE PARK, Rt. 2, Box 15, Karnack, Texas 75661. Ph (903) 679-3351. 14 mi. NE of Marshall on Hwy 43, then E. five mi. on FM 2198. South’s largest natural lake; virtual maze of channels & bayous, cypress trails.

HARRISON COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM, Peter Whetstone Square, Marshall, 75670. Ph. (903) 938-2680. Built in 1900 and listed in the National Register for Preservation of Historic Places, featuring exhibits from “homefolks” Lady Bird Johnson, Bill Moyers, Y. A. Tittle, Susan Howard and George Foreman as well as exhibits from stagecoach days to the spaceage. Open yr. round.

MICHELSON MUSEUM OF ART, Downtown Marshall, Ph. (903) 935-9480. Features a collection of the works of Russian-American Artist Leo Michelson valued at $1.5 million.

JOSEY RANCH, Hwy. 43, 6 mi. NW of Marshall; Ph. (903) 935-9279. Calf roping & barrel racing school. Open year round, tours by appointment.

T. C. LINDSEY STORE, Jonesville, Texas 75659. Located on FM 134 two mi. N. of US 80, 2 mi. W. of Louisiana Line. Ph. (903) 687-3382. Step back in time to late 1840’s for a visit to the general store.

MAPLE CROFT, (Starr Mansion) corner of Travis & Grove. Restored historic home open for tours Sat.-Sun. State Historical Park (903) 935-3044.

MARSHALL POTTERY’S OLD WORLD STORE, P. O. Box 1839, Marshall, 75671. Loc. 2 mi. N. of I-20 on Hwy 31 or from Hwy 59 approx. 4 mi. S. on Hwy 31. Ph. (903) 938-9201. Handturned stoneware with the famous blue stripes. Over 20 shops with more than 100,000 square feet of discounts and 6 acres of pottery.

SCOTTSVILLE CEMETERY, FM Road 1998, north of Marshall. One of the most beautiful historic cemeteries in the entire South.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION: Police:(903) 935-7831, Sheriff: (903) 935-9823, Hospital: (903) 935-9311