Fun things to do in Texarkana

This is something that everyone does when they come to Texarkana. This spot is just outside the Post Office and is known as a photo island.

The sign splits the post office as well as State Line Avenue. You can stand here with feet either side and say you were standing in two states at one time.

This house is very unique in that is it a 22 sided house. It was built in 1885 with the winnings of a poker game. local lumberman and Confederate Veteran Captain James H Draughon was the lucky guy and his winning card was the Ace of Clubs.. hence the name. The house is now a Museum with each room representing a certain period in the history of the house and the life styles of the families who once lived there.

Open Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm. There is a small admission charge with children under 5 free. Guided tours are available.

The style is Italianate-Victorian and features a floor plan which was inspired by Captain Draughon's lucky card. The unusual style of the house features 3 octagonal and one long rectangular rooms which are arranged around a central octagon. A bathroom wing and kitchen wing was added In the late 1890's by the next family to live there.

The museum is located in the oldest brick building in Texarkana and features exhibits which inform of the regions history, its agriculture, early industry, civil rights and World War II. There is also an exhibit on Scott Joplin "Father of Ragtime Music", Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter and Conlon Nancarrow.

You can also view pottery made by the area Caddo people along with artifacts and tools and learn about the early Spanish and French explorers.

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm. A small admission is charged with children under 5 free.

All the seating on the ground floor has been replaced although on the mezannine level, the original seats remain with new covers. The metal standards at the end of each aisle still have the ‘S’ displayed on them from the Saenger days.

The stage settings for backdrops are all original and manually operated by ropes and weights. There are no electronics to raise and lower the various sets. Most of the light fixtures on the ceiling and sconces on the side walls are original. The ceiling which is really quite beautiful and has been restored. During the heat of a scorching Texas summer with no air-conditioning, painters laid on their backs, 56ft up on scaffolding, to repair and restore the artwork to his original looking condition.

The upper level lounge has new furnishings and the large chandelier is a reproduction. The two either side of it however are from the Baker Hotel.

On one wall of the lounge is a portrait of Ross Perot’s mother, Lulu May Ray Perot. The Perot household was a strictly disciplined one but Ross idolised his parents. It has been said that his mothers stare could silence children.

Also in the lounge is a bronze statue of Gabriel Ross Perot as a boy. His younger brother Ross, had this commissioned along with other bronze works that are displayed on the Arksansas side of Texarkana.

I had a wonderful tour of the theatre and am very grateful to Denise Canon. She was extremely helpful and her enthusiasm really rubbed off. She has a great love of the theatre and is only to happen to turn all the lights on for you and give you a run down on the history as well as its current position in the community. I was quite amazed by the number of high profile shows that were coming up in their agenda.

This old classic revival styled building was built as a United States Federal Courthouse. It was built in 1911 (although this date varies). Twenty years later when the US District Court moved from Texarkana to Sherman TX, the building was donated to Bowie County. The building was then donated to The Regional Arts centre in 1985.