Question: What East Texas town was allegedly cursed by railroad magnate Jay Gould?
Answer: Jefferson. Founded in the 1840s on the banks of the Big Cypress Bayou, the town developed into an important river port, as a log jam on the Red River raised water levels on nearby Caddo Lake and provided access to ship traffic. According to legend, local officials refused an offer by railroad financier Jay Gould to build a line through Jefferson, reasoning it was unnecessary on account of the town’s prosperity as a river port. In response, Gould cursed the town and later bypassed Jefferson when the Texas and Pacific Railway was built.
While the railroads contributed to Jefferson’s economic decline, Gould did not acquire control of the Texas and Pacific until the 1880s, several years after the town was cut off from river traffic when the Red River Raft was detonated. Nevertheless, Gould’s private railcar is on permanent display at the Excelsior House Hotel in downtown Jefferson.
