A Glimpse at the Captain’s Castle
Captain Thomas J. Rogers - 1838-1918, Jefferson, Texas
“I aim to build something that lasts longer than the timber it stands on.”, during the Castle’s construction.
Jefferson, Texas has an incredible history dating back to the antebellum days, decades before the Civil War; It was paramount in structuring the economy and the sociopolitical landscape of the region during the mid-1800s and the early 20th century. Jefferson, Texas and the pioneers that made this inland port what it was in its heyday were truly something to revere and behold. The Port of Jefferson was rivaled only by Galveston in the years from about 1845 until its abrupt end in 1873, with the final destruction of the ‘Great Raft’.
One of the many splendid, and oldest homes left intact after the War and Fire of 1873 is The Captain’s Castle Historic Inn, Carriage House and Cottages. We were fortunate enough to spend our anniversary weekend here, and we would love to share the history of the Inn, a little Jefferson history, and a little about the new owners and their plans for their new home.
The Captain’s Castle has had several stages of construction, and it has been through a couple of renovations throughout the course of its 175 years of life. In fact, there is quite a story about the front half of the home and how it came to be added; but let’s begin at the start, shall we?
It was 1874, when Thomas J. Rogers purchased the lots and small home that would one day become 403 East Walker Street and make it the home for his bride, “Mitt”, and himself; he had opened a mercantile in 1866, which later housed his bank and was doing well, one might say. (You can visit that building at 102 S Polk St.)
The Fabulous Move
In about 1877, he purchased the Soda Lake Hotel, located at what we know today as the area of 405 W. Dallas St., closer to the waterfront area of town. After checking into other moves of comparable buildings of the era, that were moved similarly—I have estimated, (with a little AI assistance 🤔🤖) that it would take about twenty men to crew sixteen oxen teams. They most likely used the abundant and readily available massive Bald Cypress logs to roll the massive structure the half-mile or so across town. The Cypress logs held the advantage that they were straight-grained, moisture-resistant, and much more lightweight than oak for their strength and versatility; they made for much easier handling while rolling because of their straight grain, and they were less likely to buckle under the weight of the building, allowing for reuse and repositioning. The route was straight down Line Street to Walker Street,
We took some time to visit with Sandi, and she told us this is the route they used to relocate the front section of the Castle; it really would have been quite the pageant and show, minus the elephants and circus performers of the time. The ingenuity, engineering, and general gumption it took to even attempt such a feat! It was accomplished in a little over a year’s time, moving only 2-4 feet per day!
The Making of a Landmark
The completion of The Captain’s Castle marked its transformation into a true local landmark. The remarkable feat of merging the stately façade of the former hotel with the original residence created a unique architectural presence on East Walker Street. Through this careful integration, the property took on the grand appearance that continues to captivate visitors and locals alike.
The Castle’s Stewardship in the Twentieth Century
In the 1940s, The Captain’s Castle transitioned from the ownership of Rogers family to the McCaslands, a family committed to restoration and reclamation. Judge McCasland and Mrs. Joe McCasland undertook extensive restoration work, breathing new life into the historic home. They were responsible for bringing electricity and plumbing to the home. Carol Harrell owned the property after the McCasland’s and did the next major refurbishment on the property.
A Historical Treasure
The McCasland’s hard work and dedication is commemorated by the Castle’s designation as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1966, according to the Texas Historical Commission’s Atlas Search. This legacy was further enhanced when the property was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, alongside many of Jefferson’s other remarkable historic homes and buildings. These structures, dating from the pre- and post-Civil War eras, continue to captivate visitors, inviting them to return again and again for relaxation and reflection amid Jefferson’s enduring charm.
Return to Family
Now, in a cool turn of events, Mike and Sandi Jones—Sandi is a 5th cousin to Captain Rogers—are the newest owners and stewards of the Castle! How amazing is that!? They are such great folks and they are so excited to be taking care of the Castle! They are in the process of restoring the Castle to it’s former glory so that people like you and I can come and enjoy the history of the home. They are also restoring a piece of THEIR family history at the same time, what a special gift!
We spent an ENTIRE weekend with them and it was pure relaxation and heaven! It was our 10th wedding anniversary, we needed to stay local for a few reasons so we chose the Captain’s Castle for a stay-cation. We stayed in McCasland’s Cottage, and what a TREAT! Mike met us with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a gorgeous framed photo of the two of us 💕, a card and it was just lovely! We had requested to dine in that night; we had a spectacular meal of homemade chicken ceasar salad, chicken pot pie, and a cranberry cake. We dined by candlelight in their common room—it is kind of like a speak-easy, but a little bit old world too…very cozy, comfy and romantic. We really appreciate everything they did to make us feel like we were in a little cocoon, it was amazing. We got up early the next morning and went on a tour of Caddo Lake, you can read about that here.
The rest of the weekend, we walked or drove around Jefferson, Texas as if it were our very first time in the town. We tried to look at it through fresh eyes—both the eyes of tourists and the eyes of those that came before us and paved the way for us.
If you’re looking for a spot to kick back—whether for a night or a good long spell—we can’t say enough about The Captain’s Castle Historic Inn, Carriage House, and Cottages. Mike and Sandi, your friendly hosts, are the heart of the place; they go out of their way to make sure every guest feels right at home with plenty of old-fashioned hospitality.
Here is a short compilation of some of our time at the Castle. Thank you Mike and Sandi!