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Jefferson County CLG Historic Survey Project:

 

The Jefferson County Certified Local Government Historical Survey is a project of the Jefferson County Historical Commission (JCHC) with the intention of identifying and documenting cultural resources in Jefferson County, Texas.  A Texas coastal county approximately 80 miles east of Houston, Jefferson County is generally bordered by Orange County and Sabine Lake to the East, Chambers County to the West, and Hardin County to the North.  

 

The major cities of the county, Beaumont and Port Arthur (including Sabine Pass), each have their own CLGs, but there are numerous smaller cities and unincorporated areas including but not limited to Port Neches, Nederland, Groves, China, Fannett, Hampshire, and La Belle.  Some of these areas do not have historical organizations at all, while others are strictly staffed by volunteers.  The direct result of this is that many historical resources are in the hands of a small group of mostly older individuals.  Where possible, we would prefer that information concerning historical resources to be transferred into the public trust and preserved at libraries or museums in the county.

 

The population of Jefferson County, excluding Beaumont and Port Arthur/Sabine Pass, is approximately 76,000 people.  

The full extent of what may be found by this survey is not yet known, but volunteers will begin by searching for historic buildings and sites:

 

  • Sites which are candidates for THC historic markers

  • Rural schools, post offices, churches, railroad, oil, or ranching/farming related sites.

  • The WWII POW camp located near China already has a historic marker, but there may be potential for further interpretation or surveying at the site.

  • Area waterways

  • Port Neches, Nederland, and Groves

    When existent sites have been identified, we’ll determine what we have already lost by seeking out:

  • Candidates for oral histories

  • Photographs and locations of structures of importance which no longer exist, and a record of when or why they were demolished.

  • Private collections of artifacts and photographs which would benefit from digitization

  • Archival collections of rare and relevant materials held by local historical organizations or libraries which would benefit from digitization.

     

     

    Survey Phase 1:  Resource Scouting

    Each of the three (3) teams will be responsible for a geographic area.  These areas will be:

    1. Nederland, Groves, Port Neches

       

    2. LaBelle, Taylor Landing, Hampshire/Fannett

       

    3. China, Nome, Cheek, Bevel Oaks

 

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