Jackson (Tennessee) : The City Hosting One of the Best Trading Centers

Jackson is a city in Madison County, located east of Memphis. This is one the largest city that is in the county and a regional trade Centre for West Tennessee. During the antebellum era, it supported the cultivation of cotton, the major agricultural commodity in the area then, by being the main market city for the product. Later on, an elaborate railroad system connected the city to other major markets which played a key role in its development. The city stood the test of time during the American Civil War and out of the ashes of the war, its landscape and historical places of interest manifest the heritage, strength and, resilience of its people.

1. Liberty Garden Park and Arboretum

This is a 12-acre memorial park to the September 11 attack, serving as a tribute to America and her People. The park has a gazebo a garden that offers a serene atmosphere for the perfect family picnic, walking tracks where you can enjoy the breath of fresh air, a flagpole and, a lighted flag. Also found here are a little monument where veterans are honored and an outdoor water fountain that crowns its beauty. A visit here guarantees you nothing short of tranquility.

2. Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum

The railroad museum is a dedication to an expert locomotive engineer by the name Jonathon Luther Jones. It is located next to his birthplace. His goal was to make sure that the train arrived at its destination at the scheduled time and was so punctual that people set their watches by him. People were also awed by his peculiar ways with the train whistle. He is heroically renowned for saving his passengers from a collision with a stalled freight train, a crash which claimed his life. The home is one of America’s Treasures and is dedicated not only to Casey but rail history in the Jackson area and railmen elsewhere.While there, you get an incredible opportunity to relive the legend that is Casey Jones by going down the memory lane through the various exhibits of his life and his famous last ride. A short film about his story and the Jackson Room, dedicated to the town’s rich rail history is also found here. It has three rail cars and an original model engine that Casey drove. It is family friendly as children of all ages get a chance to climb aboard the engine and ring the train bell just as Jones did.

3. Centennial Park and splash pad

It is a small community park stretching across 9 acres. It has beautiful walking trails, pavilions for picnicking, a splash pad, playground, two tennis courts and ball fields. The park offers an inclusive treat for families.

4. Crown Winery

In 2005, Peter Howard (late) and his wife Rita, inspired by their love for Italian and Tuscan wines built the winery. They created a vineyard where they cultivated the wine and spent 11 years doing so while enhancing the beauty of the surrounding area of land. It has since changed ownership but remains incomparable to any other in the area and has to the present day hosted thousands of visitors and tours.
Worry not if you are not a wine expert as the Winery offers lessons on all matters wine as you take a tour of the vineyard and get to taste the unique and flavorful wines.
The winery has a tranquil atmosphere that offers the perfect destination venue for weddings.

5. The Electro Chalybeate Well

When you plan your trip to Jackson, be sure to visit Electro Chalybeate Well. Its origin dates back to the early 1800s while workers constructing waterworks in Jackson created the well by digging into a vast underground river of mineral water. When they drank from the well, they noticed that the water had a slight electric charge. That contributed to the miraculous curative powers. Thousands of people flocked to the well in the early 1900s to drink the ion charged water which was believed to cure stomach, kidney and liver ailment and many more. It is the world’s only public electro chalybeate well.

6. Battle of Salem Cemetery (Battle of Jackson)

The cemetery, located on Cotton Grove Road in Jackson was founded around 1820 as the resting place of many people of West Tennessee before the civil war. It was the battlefield for Jackson’s only civil war. This site contains three large monuments, a map of the battle inlay outlining the layout of the battle, a flagpole and two cannons that were used. The battle was two hours long, and about one thousand men were involved.

7. Rusty’s TV & Movie Car Museum

Rusty Robinson, the owner of this beautiful place, has collected cars for more than 24 years. The museum has movie memorabilia and more than 26 cars that have been used in TV productions and movies the Ghostbusters, Scooby Doo, Bat Ma, Wayne world, Fast and Furious, Death Race amongst others. Some of the cars are the authentic ones used while others are replicas. For all car lovers, this little-hidden gem is worth a stop which will be a Fun filled tour for the whole family.

8. Cypress Grove Nature Park

Some few minutes from Jackson downtown lies a preserve for indigenous trees, plants, waterfowl and other wildlife. This impeccable park often attracts thousands of tourists every year. It has a mile long winding boardwalk elevated through a forest of cypress trees. Inside the park, you will find the Rockwell Observation Tower, 25 acre Wood Duck Lake, Killdeer Pond, and the Aerie Trail Raptor Center. It hosts a sanctuary for hawks, owls, eagles and other prey birds that have with injuries. Inside the park is an educational facility known as the Raptor Center that offers programs and classes on the wildlife, ecology, and nature. You get to enjoy quiet nature walks, fish, spot herons, ducks, beavers, deer, etc. A picnic pavilion, benches, and gazebos within the walkway provide a serene place to rest as you observe nature for free.

9. Bemis Mill Village Museum (Local Historic District)

Bemis, Tennessee is a former company town where the Bemis Brothers Bag Company in the year 19990 established the town as a cotton mill and housing site for the mill workers. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991 and is dedicated to preserving the history of the town.

10. NC & Stl Depot & Railroad

When visiting Jackson, a great place worth a stop is the N.C and St. L (Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis) Depot and Railroad Museum. Built in 1907, the depot, made of a brick structure has been in the recent years restored to a museum of Railroad history, acting as a tribute to the contribution of the rail system in Jackson to the development of the Madison County area. Different collections of photographs showcasing the elaborate rail network, artifacts and, other related memorabilia are found here, an elaborate railroad, 500ft long with about four trains operating simultaneously, three historic railroad cars, a dining car and two cabs where you can go through. Families and other groups can rent the dining car and hold parties such as birthdays or similar intimate events here. Every first Saturday of the month, a regular activity known as the Watch and Timepiece show is held at the depot. People from all walks of life showcase their watches and other personal timepieces during this notable event for purchase, sale or just to get them appraised.

◎ Closing

Jackson, Tennessee is an average size city offering many opportunities for business, education and, leisure. Be it exploring the parks covering over 800 acres, sports, outdoor recreation, wildlife watching or taking nature walks through the rustic trails and picnic areas, it is a magnificent place you’ll love!