Downtown Beaumont facts for kids

Downtown from the west

Downtown Beaumont is the main part of Beaumont, Texas, where many important buildings are located. It's the center for government and businesses in the area. Downtown Beaumont is currently getting a lot of updates, with streets, sidewalks, and old buildings being improved.

The edges of Downtown are generally the Neches River to the east, Interstate 10 to the north, Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway to the west, and College Street to the south.

Arts and Culture in Downtown Beaumont

Downtown Beaumont is a lively place for arts and culture. You'll find most of the area's museums, theaters, and historic buildings here. Many buildings in downtown are even listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means they are very important historical sites.

Beaumont Commercial District

The Beaumont Commercial District is a special area in downtown. It has many different kinds of buildings, including six tall buildings built before 1932. This district is recognized as a U.S. Historic District because of its history. It's generally located around Willow, Neches, Gilbert, and Main Streets. The Old Spanish Trail (which is also U.S. Route 90) goes through this district.

Museums to Explore

Downtown Beaumont is home to a group of five museums. They offer lots of fun and learning!

• The Beaumont Children's Museum is a great place for kids to learn through play. It's currently located inside the Beaumont Civic Center.
• The Edison Museum is all about the famous inventor Thomas Edison. It has over 60 historic items to see and more than 1,400 artifacts. This is the only museum of its kind west of the Mississippi River!
• The Texas Energy Museum tells the story of the Texas oil industry, especially how it connects to Beaumont's Spindletop. You can also learn about the science behind how oil is found.
• The Fire Museum of Texas has the world's largest working fire hydrant! It also shows off a big collection of old firefighting equipment.
• The Art Museum of Southeast Texas (AMSET) displays about 1,000 pieces of American art from the 1800s, 1900s, and 2000s. It also features local and folk art. AMSET often hosts special art shows throughout the year.

Libraries for Learning

Tyrrell Historical Library

The main branch of the Beaumont public library system is in downtown Beaumont. It has over 130,000 books, DVDs, Blu-rays, audiobooks, and computers for you to use.

The Tyrrell Historical Library is also part of the library system. It keeps old and important documents, like papers from early Beaumont families and historical records from the American Civil War. This library is located in what used to be the first Baptist Church of Beaumont.

Historic Theatres

Downtown Beaumont has two beautiful historic theaters.

• The Jefferson Theatre was built in 1927 and cost a lot of money because it used the best materials. A famous movie, It's A Wonderful Life, had its first showing here in 1946! The movie's star, James Stewart, and director, Frank Capra, were even there.
• The Julie Rogers Theater was originally built in 1928 as the City Hall. It can hold about 1,700 people. Today, it's home to the Beaumont Civic Ballet, Beaumont Civic Opera, and the Symphony of Southeast Texas.

Fun and Recreation

Crockett Street Entertainment

Crockett Street

Crockett Street is a popular spot in downtown Beaumont for entertainment. It has places like The Gig, which hosts live music, and Dixie Dance Hall, where people can go dancing. Crockett Street is also a place where you can rent venues for private parties. Because Beaumont is close to I-10, a big highway, Crockett Street can host national music acts.

Exciting Events

Downtown Beaumont hosts many fun events throughout the year!

• The Gusher Marathon started in 2010. It's an annual running event in March that includes a 5K, a half marathon, and a full marathon. The race starts at Lamar University and goes through Downtown Beaumont.
• Festivals like The Beaumont Jazz & Blues Fest and the Boomtown Film and Music Festival are held in downtown. The Jefferson Theater and Crockett Street venues are often used for these events.
• Every December, Beaumont has a Winter Parade with a lighted boat parade that starts and ends in downtown.
• The city's Fourth of July celebration happens every year at Riverfront Park. It includes fireworks, food, and live music.

Parks and Facilities

• The Beaumont Civic Center is a large venue on Main Street. It hosts many different events like trade shows, sports, concerts, and graduations. It can seat up to 6,500 people.
• The Beaumont Event Centre and plaza is a big area with lots of space for outdoor activities. It has a large Great Lawn for concerts, a walking path, and a big event hall. There's also a lake with a tall fountain!
• Riverfront Park is located along the Neches River. It has an amphitheater, boat docks, and covered areas. This park is where the annual July 4th celebration takes place. The park was closed for a while after being damaged by a tropical storm in 2017.

Downtown Economy

Downtown Beaumont is home to several important businesses. Entergy Texas, an energy company, has its main offices here in Edison Plaza. Salad Soulmates, a company that makes salad dressing, also has its main offices and factory downtown. Many other companies, like law firms, engineering firms, and banks, also have offices in downtown Beaumont.

Government Buildings

City Government

Beaumont City Hall, where the city's government works, is located on Main Street in downtown.

County Government

The Jefferson County Courthouse is also in downtown. It's a famous building known for its unique Art Deco style.

Federal Government

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas is located in the Jack Brooks Federal Building. This federal building also has a branch of the United States Postal Service.