Jacksonville, TX
Music connected to Jacksonville
About Jacksonville
- • Fred Lofton, a blues musician, was born in Jacksonville and played with legends.
- • The tomato lug box, essential for harvesting, was invented here.
- • The railroad's arrival in 1872 spurred growth, connecting Jacksonville to markets.
- • A local legend claims a hidden treasure is buried near Lake Jacksonville.
- • The Great Depression significantly impacted the local economy and agricultural production.
- • It's named after General Jackson, a railroad official, and was founded in 1872.
- • With over 14,000 residents, it's smaller than nearby Tyler.
- • Its elevation is 528 feet, offering rolling hills in East Texas.
- • Agriculture, particularly tomatoes and beef cattle, drives the local economy.
- • It's a peaceful, small-town atmosphere with friendly faces and strong community ties.
- • The Dallas Cowboys, about 2 hours away, have won 5 Super Bowls.
- • Jacksonville High School has a rich football tradition, winning state championships.
- • The area's geology is defined by sandy soils of the East Texas Timberlands region.
- • Lake Jacksonville, a reservoir on Gum Creek, provides the city's water supply.
- • Pine forests dominate the local flora.
- • Caddo tribes inhabited the area before European contact.
- • In 1872, the town became the railhead for the Houston and Great Northern Railroad.
- • The Cherokee County Courthouse, a Romanesque Revival structure, was built in 1933.
- • U.S. Highway 69 runs north-south through the heart of Jacksonville.
