Each month, we feature on our a different Ohio city as part of our #GOPCThread Series, #OHCommunitySpotlight. This month, we highlight the county seat of Jackson County, the City of Jackson.
Jackson, Ohio – a community that “make things happen” is the subject of our second #OHCommunitySpotlight of 2024
Jackson – the county seat of Jackson County – is located in south-central Ohio, about 27 miles southeast of Chillicothe. It is the principal city in the Jackson micropolitan area as designated by the Office of Management and the Budget
Prior to its settlement in 1817, the land that became Jackson was in the heart of the Hopewell Culture, with native tribes from the Osage and Shawnee tribes inhabiting the area
Tecumseh (/tɪˈkʌmsə, -si/ tih-KUM-sə, -see; c. 1768 – October 5, 1813) was a Shawnee chief and warrior who promoted resistance to the expansion of the United States onto Native American lands. A persuasive orator, Tecumseh traveled widely, forming a Native American confederacy and promoting intertribal unity. Even though his efforts to unite Native Americans ended with his death in the War of 1812, he became an iconic folk hero in American, Indigenous, and Canadian popular history.
Jackson itself was established in 1817, with residents choosing to name the community after the hero of the War of 1812 General Andrew Jackson, who would become the 7th President of the United States in 1829.
Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans, January, 1815.
Celebration at the White House after the inauguration of President Andrew Jackson in 1829.
Jackson was at first slow to grow, having less than 300 inhabitants in 1840, more than 20 years after its founding. Over the next 40 years, the development of two railroad lines passing through the community helped the town grow and spurred economic development.
Then, leading industry in the area included the Star Furnace Company and the Globe Iron Works, which used local coal and iron ore deposits to make iron products.
Today, many in the community work in nearby Wellston for General Mills, though the community does have a number of thriving small businesses.
Jackson has the 8th largest population of people of Welsh decent in the United States, and the 4th largest in Ohio. Many Welsh immigrants found their way to the community to work in the mines, to manufacture iron, clay, and work the many farms throughout the region.
Jackson is today perhaps best known for the annual Jackson County Apple Festival. First held in 1937 to promote Jackson County’s leading agricultural product, today the nearly week-long festival is a celebration of agriculture and community.
Highlights of the festival include the annual “Apple Bowl” Friday Night home football game at Jackson High School, & multiple parades throughout the week, including the School Parade (Wednesday afternoon), the Opening Parade (Wednesday Night) & Pre-School Parade (Thursday noon)
But it is the Saturday night “Grande Finale” Parade that is the true festival highlight, attracting over 70,000 people & being noted as the largest lighted parade in Ohio. Past highlights have included the @TBDBITL & the @marineband
Tourism is fast becoming a leading economic driver in Jackson & its surrounding area. Jackson features 4 parks, including Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve, with 2,000+ acres including a lake, hiking trails, cliffs, & 3 ravines
Lake Katherine State Nature Preserve. Image via the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Other highlights in the area include Salt Lick Village, preserved historic structures & a recreated salt boiling furnace & blacksmith shop, & the Markay Cultural Arts Center, a renovated Art Deco movie theater
The Markay Cultural Arts Center. Photo via WOUB
And you can see Jackson on the big screen. “Holler”, the story of a young woman earning money to pay her way through college, was written & directed by Jackson native Nicole Riegel & filmed on-site.
Top photo: An Overview of Jackson, Ohio by Develop_meigs via Wikimedia Commons
