The City of Jackson, Mississippi

Jackson is the capital and perhaps the most popular city of the state of Mississippi. It is conveniently located at the crossroads of Interstate 55, Interstate 20, the historic Natchez Trace Parkway near the center of the state and about one hour's drive from the Mississippi River to the West. The City of Jackson is believed to be home to nearly 500,000 people at the moment.

History of the City of Jackson

Jackson was founded in 1821. Originally, the city was founded at the site of a trading post on the west bank of the Pearl River. Based on historical findings, the trading post was then operated by a French-Canadian trader named Louis LeFleur. The town was originally called LeFleur's Bluff.

Around the early 1800s, the Mississippi state legislature needed the seat of government moved out of the Natchez area into a more central location. Three men were entrusted to locate an ideal place for a town that could become the state capital. After surveying areas north and east of Jackson, Thomas Hinds, James Patton, and William Lattimore proceeded southwest along the Pearl River until they came to LeFleur's Bluff in Hinds County. A legislative act dated November 28, 1821 authorized the location to be the permanent seat of government for the state. The city was then named Jackson in honor of Major General Andrew Jackson who later went on to become the seventh president of the United States.

Shortly after the adoption of the Constitution of 1832, which ensured Jackson would be the permanent capital of the state of Mississippi, the Mississippi legislature authorized the construction of a new and much larger house of government. The building went on to become a magnificent example of Greek Revival architecture and it remained the seat of state government until 1903 after which it lay dormant for several years before serving as state offices until the late 1950s and as the state historical museum until 2005. After the extensive damage caused to the historical building by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Old Capitol was lovingly restored and opened to the public as a state house museum in 2009.

In addition to the Old Capitol, two other buildings mark important milestones in the history of Mississippi. The Governor's Mansion, authorized in 1839 and completed in 1842 is the second oldest residence of its type in the nation. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Jackson's City Hall, built in 1846 for less than $8,000, is still the working seat of municipal government after more than 140 years. This massively columned, three-story building and the gardens that surround it are two of the most photographed locations in the city.

Jackson facts

  1. Taxes: 7% sales tax, 4% hotel tax, 2% restaurant tax
  2. Population: 184,256 people lived in the City of Jackson in 2000.
  3. Climate Winter: 48° | Spring: 65° | Summer: 81° | Fall: 66°
  4. Location: Central Mississippi at the crossroads of Interstate 55 and 20, running North-South, and East-West respectively.
  5. Hotels and restaurants: Jackson has 49 hotels and inns with over 4,900 rooms. The city also boasts over 300 fine restaurants, many with convention and banquet rooms.

Events

The City of Jackson offers many fun and festive events like the Dixie National Rodeo, the Mississippi State Fair, the Farish Street Festival and the Mistletoe Marketplace. The official USA International Ballet Competition is a one-of-a-kind event that you can only attend in Jackson.

Jackson is a modern city. People go on modern diets like the crazy green coffee extract diet in Jackson. It receives visitors almost all year round. With over 300 fine restaurants, 49 comfortable hotels and inns, over 65 annual events and 19 museums, there is plenty to keep you busy in Jackson. In addition to the cultural and outdoor attractions unique to Jackson, the city also offers a wide variety of venues for shopping, great weather and warm hospitality you are highly unlikely to find anywhere else. For business travelers and convention delegates, it is also possible to find state-of-the-art facilities and services to support your professional needs.

Driving directions to the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau

From Interstate 55 North, take the Pearl Street exit. Drive west on Pearl over the bridge and through the first intersection at Pearl and State Street. Drive five more blocks to Farish Street after which you turn right and right again at the next block onto Capitol Street. The multi-storied office building on your right is the 111 East Capitol Building. This building houses the JCVB office. It is the first office to the right of the front door on the first floor.

Note that the City of Jackson is also served by the Canadian National Railway and Kansas City Southern Railway.