Photographer: Kevin Stillman

In former bank building downtown, the museum is outstanding. Note the striking murals on walls. Exhibits depict great strides made in the span of Port Arthur's history. Relics from Battle of Sabine Pass, mortgage note issued by Santa Anna ($500 mortgage bond issued by Mexican general on his personal property to raise funds for his army), and an Edison Talking Machine.

Southeast Texas Musical Heritage Room features memorabilia of rock star Janis Joplin. Joplin's painted psychedelic Porsche sits on top of a spinning gold record. Some two dozen other musical stars are also featured, including J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson, Jr.; Richard Valens; and Tex Ritter.