Jacksonville Texas
Located just a short trip south of Tyler on U.S. Highway 69 is Jacksonville, in Cherokee County.
 Hotel Liberty, Jacksonville, Texas |
Jacksonville was established in 1847 as Gum Creek. Jackson Smith built a home and blacksmith shop in the area, and became postmaster in 1848. About the same time, Dr. William Jackson established an office near Smith's shop. When the townsite was laid out in 1850, the name Jacksonville was chosen to honor these men.
Jacksonville is a major hub for regional highways, including U.S. 69, U.S. 79, and U.S. 175, and a major facility for the Union Pacific Railroad. Two other railroads, the Southern Pacific and Cotton Belt, abandoned their lines in the area in the mid-1980s. Read more about the Cotton Belt line running from Tyler through Bullard and Jacksonville to Rusk and Lufkin.
It is known as the "Tomato Capital of the World" from a time when the area was a huge producer and shipper of tomatoes. The Tomato Bowl, a WPA project, is the home of the Jacksonville High School "Fightin' Indians" football and soccer teams. Annual Jacksonville events include the "Tomato Fest" celebration in June and the "Tops in Texas Rodeo" in July.
Jacksonville is the site of numerous schools including Lon Morris College, Jacksonville College, and Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary.
The city has gained recent fame as the hometown of country music singers Lee Ann Womack and Neal McCoy.
Lake Jacksonville, built in 1957, is located three miles southwest of Jacksonville and covers an area of 1,320 acres. It is the city's main water source and a popular destination for boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities, both for residents and tourists.
Just north of the City of Jacksonville, Texas is Love's Lookout. At an elevation of 713 feet, it has long been known for its spectacular views to the east, on clear days as far as 30-35 miles. Love's Lookout Scenic Park is a great place for walking or for family picnics, and includes a 5,500 square foot facility with restrooms, vending machines, an information center and a sheriff's sub-station.
For more information, we recommend a visit to the Jacksonville Texas Chamber of Commerce web site.
Love's Lookout, elevation 713 feet above sea level
Map of Jacksonville Texas (courtesy of Google Maps)
East Commerce Street, Jacksonville, Texas
Municipal Building, Jacksonville, Texas
United States Post Office, Jacksonville, Texas
Jacksonville High School, Jacksonville, Texas
East Liberty Hotel, Jacksonville, Texas
Missouri Pacific Railroad Depot, Jacksonville, Texas
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