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Caddo Lake is one of the most beautiful places you will ever see. Naturalists, photographers, and artists are inspired and intrigued by the lush flora and fauna and moss-covered cypress forests. A journey into the quiet back and mysterious waters is an adventure into the realm of timelessness. Caddo Lake is a paradise that offers something for everyone. Sportsmen seek the abundant wildlife and the big bass that inhabit the lake. Caddo Lake is 23 miles long and covers 40,000 acres
Caddo
Lake -- (26,800 acres) Its shores
are shared with the state of Louisiana, and they contain some of
the best fishing to be found in both states. It is the only natural
freshwater lake of any size in Texas, lying between Jefferson, TX
and Mooringsport, LA. A truly beautiful lake of meandering bayous
and huge cypress trees. Caddo Lake became a "Wetland of International
Importance" in 1993, one of only a dozen or so U.S. sites so
designated by the Ramsar Convention, an intergovermental treaty.
The lake draws hundreds of naturalists, anglers, artists, birdwatchers,
and plain porch-sitters here each year. There is excellent fishing
for bass, crappie, bluegills, catfish and pickerel up to two feet.
Florida bass were stocked here in 1981 and 1982 with the lake record
already up to more than 16 pounds! The lake is rich in Indian legends
on how the lake was formed. Today the lake has a primeval aura,
edged by dense forests that frequently invade the waters; Spanish
moss drapes the trees, and lush aquatic growth appears jungle-like.
Caddo has 42 miles of "boat roads" because the maze of channels
can be confusing. The lake is a few miles north of Karnack - Access
the lake from TX 43, to Farm Road 2198 to Uncertain.
Uncertain
(population 184) evolved from fishing camps and resort operators
around scenic Caddo Lake in Harrison County and incorporated in
1961. The town is near Uncertain Landing, so named because steamboat
captains on their way to and from Jefferson in earlier days often
had troubles mooring their vessels. It was also the site of an old
hunting, fishing, and boating society called the Uncertain Club,
which existed in the early 1900's. Today, the town still relies
on the lake's tourism attractions for its livlihood. The town limits
are irregular in shape to include most of the resort areas along
the shores of Caddo Lake. Uncertain has several art galleries and
gift shops, marinas, grocery stores, steamboat company, pontoon
boat tour operators, B&B's, fine restaurants and cafes, and RV parks.
Several well know fishing guides live in our town.
Caddo
Lake State Park - 480 acres beside Caddo Lake; an area once
occupied by Caddo Indians, a tribe quite advanced in civilization.
Fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, natural trails and interpretive
center. One mile north off Texas 43.
Karnack
- adjacent to Caddo Lake State Park was probably named for the ancient
city of Karnack, Egypt. It is the home of Caddo Lake National Wildlife
Refuge formerly the Longhorn Army Ammunitions Plant where Thikol
Chemical Corp. made space use fuel that sent the rockets into space.
This is the birthplace of Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson (Lady Bird) (born
Claudia Taylor). Her birthplace was constructed of brick made by
slaves. This house was built before the Civil War (not open to the
public).
Jefferson
- in Marion County, had its beginning between 1836 and 1840 at a
river landing on Big Cypress Bayou. Today it is one of Texas' most
historic towns. More than 30 structures bear State Historical Medallions,
and is the home of many antique and gift shops. She early became
a major East Texas river port of entry; Big Cypress was then navigable
by steamboats from New Orleans. The world's first ammonia refrigerant
ice plant was built here in 1873. Jefferson was the state's first
city to utilize artificial gas for street lighting. She reached
a population of 30,000 shortly after the Civil War with as many
as 15 steamboats at a time lining he docks and scores of wagon trains
passing through on the way West. For today's traveler seeking quiet
reflection of a past era, it is a fortunate result.
Marshall
is located in the piney woods of East Texas with intersecting US
Hwys. 59 and 80 and Interstate 20. It is near Caddo Lake and the
Louisiana state border. An All-American City and county seat of
historic Harrison County. It has more than 100 historical markers
and medallions with several listed in the National Register of Historical
Places. Annual events include Josey's World Championship Junior
Barrel Race, Stagecoach Days, the East Texas FireAnt Festival, MarketFest,
and the world famous Wonderland of Lights Christmas Festival that
starts Thanksgiving and runs through New Year's. Marshall is the
pottery capital of the world.
Jonesville
- T. C. Lindsey Store - in continuous operation since 1847 is owned
and operated by Sam and Tom Vaughan. Located on Farm Road 134 which
intersects I-20, 2 miles west of the Louisiana line. Antique collections
are on display. Hard-to-get items are for sale. It is the setting
for two Disney Productions and several other movies. Step back in
time to the late 1840's when you visit the general store.
Shreveport
- was founded on the banks of the Red River in 1839, five years
after the hero of the Red River, captain Henry Miller Shreve, was
successful in clearing the waters of a giant log jam. Bossier City
had its beginnings in the 1840's, starting as a small trading post
known as Cane's Landing. These two cities are "Rolling on the Red"
with four dockside riverboat casinos. It is the home of the area's
premier racetrack, Louisiana Downs. The Gardens of the American
Rose Center is headquarters for the American Rose Society. Over
60 individual rose gardens make a glorious tribute to the nation's
official flower. Home of the Shreveport Captains, a farm club for
the San Francisco Giants, the Shreveport Mudbugs Ice Hockey Team.
The cities host a number of professional and amateur competitions.
The area is known for fine museums, art galleries and festivals
celebrate crawfish, the ants, poke salad, oil, rosebuds, Black heritage,
chili cooking and Mardi Gras. The 8th Air Force Museum at Barksdale
is a journey through the dynamic history of Strategic Bombardment.
Displays take the visitor on an historic journey from WWI to the
present. There's year-round entertainment in Shreveport-Bossier
for the entire family.
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