South Beaumont - Port Arthur, TX

Before the discovery of oil at Spindletop in 1901, Jefferson County produced mostly livestock and timber. However, after the gusher on Jan. 10, 1901, county seat Beaumont became a booming city, and much of the land converted from farmland to oil exploration fields. Oil stimulated both lumber and agriculture, and the area continued to grow economically even through the Great Depression.

Nearby Port Arthur houses the Museum of the Gulf Coast, and you find several cultural venues in Beaumont such as the McFaddin-Ward House, the Babe Didrikson Zaharias Museum and a handful of art museums. Annual events include the Nederland Heritage Festival in Nederland, the Neches River Festival in Beaumont and the Beaumont Blues & Jazz Fest. The county hosts the South Texas State Fair every spring, and there’s also a restored oil Boomtown in Gladys City.

Owned and operated by the Miller family since 1984, Pine Tree Lodge is probably South Beaumont’s best-known restaurant. Diners can watch alligators and turtles swim past in the bayou while enjoying burgers, catfish, shrimp and steaks. The lodge has a boat ramp available for boating and fishing, and locals enjoy live music every Sunday.

While you won’t find a concentration of eateries anywhere in South Beaumont, you’ll be able to satisfy almost any appetite at the numerous restaurants in the nearby towns of Beaumont and Port Arthur. Los Compadres Pupuseria on 25th Street in Port Arthur sells some of the best pupusas in the area. Wash them down with Mexican-style horchata or one of the other flavored aguas on the menu.

As for nightlife, Beaumont might be your best bet, considering it’s the seat of Lamar University. The Logon Cafe is one of the more popular joints in town. There you can find beer, burgers, live music and even karaoke. If the music gets too loud, take a little break on the spacious back patio.

For the quintessential Texas experience, try Luke’s Icehouse in Beaumont. It features domino tables, fire pits and a great back patio. There’s also a decent bar-food menu.

The best and most common way to get around South Beaumont is by car, though probably no one would look twice if you arrive on horseback. Parking is easily available and free. Both Beaumont and Port Arthur have public transportation options within those towns, but routes don’t serve South Beaumont.

Taxi companies based in Port Arthur and Beaumont operate in the area. You’ll need to give the cab company precise directions since it’s not a common mode of transportation, and you certainly won’t be able to hail a cab on these country roads. Uber does not serve the area.

A 25-minute drive takes you to the town of Winnie, where you can merge onto Interstate 10 heading west. Drive 20 minutes in the other direction and you reach US 96 in Port Arthur, from where you can connect to other major highways.

Given its rural setting, the area remains walkable for recreation. Bicyclists are uncommon, and there are no bike lanes, meaning drivers on these low-trafficked roads might not notice you if that’s your preferred method of transportation. That said, biking off major thoroughfares proves generally safe.

Parks and wildlife areas dominate South Beaumont. Closest is the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area, a 24,498-acre tract of coastal marsh that's home to a highly diverse collection of flora and fauna. It opens seasonally for fishing and wildlife viewing and for teal, regular waterfowl, feral hog and alligator hunting. Park entrance is free of charge, except for hunting and fishing permits.

The remote Sea Rim State Park sits on 5.2 miles of Gulf shore and 4,000 acres of marshlands. The park has 15 campsites with utilities and cabins, and it permits primitive camping on the beach. In addition to camping, visitors enjoy birding, beach combing, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, in-season hunting and walking. Particularly pleasant is the Gambusia Nature Trail, a boardwalk through the marsh. Entrance is $3 per day per adult; children 12 and under are free. Expect to pay fees for your hunting and fishing permits.

Visitors to the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge and the Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge can enjoy hunting, fishing, crabbing, wildlife watching, nature trails and wildlife photography. Both are free of charge, aside from hunting and fishing permits.

Billing itself as the “best FREE family festival in the Golden Triangle,” the Nederland Heritage Festival was voted Best Carnival by readers of the Port Arthur News. In addition to carnival rides, you’ll find an art show, chili cook-off, country music show, craft market, petting zoo and more. Don’t miss this great opportunity for down-home family fun.

In the rural area of South Beaumont, residents enjoy a cost of living slightly less than Beaumont. Median rents for a one-bedroom apartment run around $906 per month. A beer will set you back $2.50 to $3. Gas prices are about 91 percent of the national average.

Several major chains such as JCPenny, Walmart and Ross Dress for Less can be found on US 96 in Port Arthur. There are few high-end or high-value stores, but if you’re looking for something special, the areas around South Beaumont include several unique shops.

Foodies shouldn’t miss Jack’s Pak-It in Beaumont. This meat market and deli, run by Louis and Lori Blanda and cousin John Blanda, have been serving sausages, cured meats and prepared foods for years. The Rustic Door in nearby Nederland sells used, vintage and consignment clothing as well as crafts by local artisans. It’s a great place for gifts.

The closest grocery stores can be found in Port Arthur, which has a HEB, Market Basket and Walmart Supercenter. The Beaumont Farmers Market runs from March to November and features the products of local farmers, all of which are based within 150 miles of Beaumont.