Local Interests
As everyone knows by now we are in the heart of East Texas, where in the early morning hours of 2/1/03 we lost our beloved astronauts.To honor them, the name of the new lake they are building a mile away, has been changed from Lake EastTex to Lake Columbia.We have the Texas Basket Factory right here in Jacksonville, as well as golfing, Mud Nationals, and Lake Jacksonville. Down the road a piece we have The Texas State Railroad, where you can ride the train from Rusk to Palestine. In Tyler, 30 miles down Hwy.69 they have the nationally acclaimed Tyler Roses and Azaelias' Trail, and a mall for the serious shopper.

Texas Basket Company

Established in 1919, the Texas Basket Company has been making fruit and vegetable baskets -- including wooden display racks, crates, novelty baskets, and more -- for nearly 100 years. These famous baskets have been featured in many popular magazines and on television, and have also been used as props in several movies.

Texas State Railroad

The Texas State Railroad, established in 1881, is truly a “Texas Treasure!” Take a relaxing train ride through the Pineywoods of East Texas, enjoy fun special events with your family, or experience an evening dinner train! This historic railroad offers train excursions that travel 25 miles through the scenic piney woods and hardwood creek bottoms of East Texas.

Tyler Municipal Rose Garden & 
Azalea and Spring Flower Trail

The world-famous Tyler Municipal Rose Garden features 14 acres, 35,000 rose bushes and more than 500 varieties of roses. Admission is free, and they are open 7 days a week, dawn until dark. The Azalea & Spring Flower Trail travels through eight miles of residential gardens and historic homes sites in Tyler. Be sure to make plans to take in the special Azalea and Spring Flower Trail events.

Kiepersol Estates Vineyards & Winery

Kiepersol Enterprises is a food and wine destination in East Texas. Our Estate-grown artisan wines are finely crafted to be comfortable to drink, pairing every day life with the abundance of the earth. Join us today for an elegant dinner or simply time to rekindle at our restful B&B. Record your sound or let the sounds of nature sink in. Let your passions be ignited at Kiepersol by sharing in our lifestyle.

Caddo Mounds: State Historic Site

More than 1,200 years ago, a group of Caddo Indians known as the Hasinai built a village 26 miles west of present-day Nacogdoches. The site was the southwestern-most ceremonial center for the great Mound Builder culture. Today, three earthen mounds still rise from the lush Pineywoods landscape at Caddo Mounds State Historic Site, where visitors discover the everyday life and the history of this ancient civilization.

Dixie Wine Company

Local wineries offer wine tasting for "FREE" and one local favorite Dixie Wines on US-69 offers a quaint atmosphere for the whole family with muscadine wines made from various local fruits, including berries, kiwi and more.
Check out the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce for more information on local events.