About Jackson
The satellite view shows Jackson, most populous city and capital of the State of
Mississippi. The town sits on the Pearl River in the Southern
United States, an area known as the 'Dixie' region. The "City with Soul" lies halfway between
Memphis and
New Orleans in the greater Jackson Prairie region of Mississippi.
Like any US city Jackson also started
from scratch. In the beginning, it was known as LeFleur's Bluff, a trading post on the west bank of the Pearl River, close to the Old Natchez Trace, an ancient Indian trail which later became a trade route between
Nashville, Tennessee and the Mississippi River port of Natchez, Mississippi.
In December 1817, the western portion of Mississippi Territory became the State of Mississippi as the 20th state of the Union. LeFleur's Bluff was renamed for General Andrew Jackson in 1821. In 1822 Mississippi's capital was moved from Natchez to Jackson and became the permanent seat of the state government.
Today Jackson has a slightly declining population of about 167,000 inhabitants (in 2018). 579,000 people live in the Jackson metro area.
The city is home to five colleges and the
Jackson State University, one of the historically black universities.
Jackson is famous for its music, including Gospel, Blues, and R&B. Cassandra Wilson, renowned jazz singer-songwriter, is born in Jackson.
Jackson points of interest:
Historical Places:
One Jackson Place and old Greyhound station on Lamar Street.
Image: taylorandayumi
The
Old Mississippi State Capitol (
www.oldcapitolmuseum.com) was built in 1839; it served as Mississippi's statehouse from 1839 until 1903. It was replaced by the new
Mississippi State Capitol, built in 1901, and designed to house all branches of the Mississippi state government.
City Hall, the Greek Revival building, built in 1846-47 has served as an army hospital in times of the American Civil War, today, Jackson's City Hall is the seat of municipal government.
Eudora Welty House (
eudorawelty.org/the-house/), was the home of author Eudora Welty, known for her short story, "Death of a Traveling Salesman"; her novel "The Optimist's Daughter" won the Pulitzer Prize in 1973.
King Edward Hotel (
official hotel website), a historic hotel in downtown Jackson, built in 1923 as the Edwards Hotel.
Jackson Volcano, a 70 million years old extinct volcano, 2900 ft beneath the city.
Churches:
Lamar Life Building and St Andrew's Cathedral on Capitol Street.
Image: Philip N Young
Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle (
cathedralsaintpeter.org), is the seat of the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jackson. The Neo-Gothic cathedral was built between 1897 and 1900.
Museums:
Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (
www.mdwfp.com/museum.aspx), one of the state's largest museums is home to Mississippi's extinct species; it also offers a 100,000-gallon aquarium network housing over 200 living species. The museum is within LeFleur's Bluff State Park.
Mississippi Museum of Art (
www.msmuseumart.org), the art museum in Jackson has a permanent collection that includes paintings by American, Mississippi, and British artists, as well as photographs, collage artworks, and sculptures.
The
Mississippi Civil Rights Museum (
mcrm.mdah.ms.gov) exhibits the history of the American Civil Rights Movement, African Americans who fought institutionalized racism in the U.S. state of Mississippi between 1945 and 1970.
Mississippi Children's Museum (
www.mschildrensmuseum.org), offers interactive exhibits, activities, and programs for kids of all ages.
Music recording studio:
Malaco Records (
www.malaco.com), the country’s largest gospel, soul, and blues recording studio dubs itself: “The Last Soul Company”.
Parks:
LeFleur's Bluff State Park (
park website) recreation area on the banks of the Pearl River in the heart of urban Jackson.
Jackson Zoo (
jacksonzoo.org) the city zoo opened in 1919 and moved to historical Livingston Park in 1921.
Sports:
Mississippi Coliseum, a multipurpose arena located on the Mississippi State Fairgrounds complex opened in 1962.
Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, home field of the Jackson State Tigers football team (
www.gojsutigers.com).
Transport:
Air:
Hawkins Field, a general aviation airport (IATA code: HKS) northwest of Jackson,
Jackson-Evers International Airport (
IATA code: JAN) about 12 mi (19 km) by road (via I-20 E), east of the central business district.
Railroads: Union Station, train station (Amtrak) and bus terminal for Greyhound Lines intercity buses.
To find a location use the form below.