Known as a "timber town," Jackson, Alabama embraces the contributions of one of its main employers, Boise Cascade, which operates a mill in town. The company produces a broad range of premium and specialty paper and cardboard products. Needless to say, paper is a product that is prized in Jackson as well as the surrounding area. Therefore, anyone who does not use stationery or makes use of notebook paper should acquaint themselves with the economic etiquette of the city.
Jackson was established in 1816. The city was named for President Andrew Jackson. Before it was known as Jackson, the area carried such names as Republicville and Pine Level. Located in ClarkeCounty, Jackson has just over 5,200 inhabitants and is about midway between Birmingham and Atlanta (closer to Birmingham if you want to get technical). One of the unique distinctions about Jackson is that it is a "wet" city and we're not talking about rainfall. Most other places in the county are "dry" which means no alcohol can be sold there. Jacksonville is the opposite, which is good news for your dinner party plans.
Moving to Jacksonville
You can become an influential resident in Jackson, given the selection of housing for rent and apartment rentals that feature 1 bedroom apartments, 2 bedroom apartments, and even 3 bedroom houses for rent. A Jackson apartment search can reveal a lot about the many amenities included in apartment living in this small city.
Many of the homes and apartments convey a traditional, if not stately, feeling with their nicely trimmed and shaded lawns and well-maintained interiors. Apartment homes showcase such "little luxuries" as private balconies, patios, carports, in-unit washers and dryers, and nicely-equipped, upgraded kitchens.
You'll soon become accustomed to the granite countertops, tile backsplashes, and stainless steel appliances in many of the apartment homes. Plus, most homes are cable-ready - a must have accessory if you don't want to miss any of those crucial buys on the Home Shopping Network day and night.
The best time to move to Jackson is usually the late spring or early fall, when the weather is more agreeable and is not as distracting as it is in the hotter and colder months of summer and winter. Getting prepared for the move can be made all the more easy if you follow a list or itinerary. Find a guide on the Microsoft site which provides a moving template for planning purposes.
Neighborhoods in Jacksonville
Sure some of the neighborhoods that people love in Jacksonville are more expensive than others! But, that just goes with the territory, since they have some of the best amenities! These areas include Jackson are the City Center, Walker Spring, the Salitpa and McVay area and the Rockville / Carlton section of town. As is the normal case with most neighborhoods, residents find it easier to travel by car than foot.
City Center: The CityCenter in Jackson has one of the shortest commute times in the U.S. It only takes commuters 15 minutes to reach their destinations when driving. This is the most bustling part of town, too, so if you like excitement around your home, this is a great area for you to consider. It's ultra-convenient, and it's hip, too!
Salitpa: If you are looking for a studio, one-bedroom, or 2-bedroom apartment, it's best to set your sights on the Salitp neighborhood. This is a smaller residential area with lots of apartments, so if you're thinking small, this is the place for you.
Walker: This neighborhood tends to have larger apartments, so it's the best place for Wide Open Spaces (like the Dixie Chicks.)
Rockville / Carlton: The Rockville / Carlton area features rental properties that are often occupied by seasonal residents, or those snowbirds that do not like to light in the north in the wintertime.
Living in Jacksonville
Jacksonville's all about its history, and four sites in Jackson are part of the National Register of Historic Places. These sites include the J.P. McKee Lustron House, the Doit W. McClellan Lustron House, the Jackson Historic District, and Clarke Mills. Both the Doit W. McClellan Lustron House and J.P. McKee Lustron House are historically important, if not architecturally significant, as these kinds of homes were only manufactured for approximately two years. The prefabricated homes, made of enameled steel, were the design brainchild of the Lustron Corporation. Only about 2,000 of these homes exist today in the U.S., with a good many of the facades significantly changed. Historians in Alabama believe the two aforementioned houses were the first Lustron homes that were erected in Alabama. Clarke Mills in Jackson is a textile factory building that was built in 1939, and was utilized by the Vanity Fair Corporation for many years. A maker of underwear and jeans, the company first started out as a glove and mitten manufacturer in Pennsylvania at the end of the 19th century. Undergarments were not manufactured until 1919 when the company's name changed to Vanity Fair Mills.
Of another historical note, Jackson served as the base for a prisoner-of-war camp during the Second Word War. Captured Nazi soldiers were held in the camp, located on Ocre Avenue. Opening on April 6, 1945, the facility closed on March 12, 1946. One of the noteworthy residents hailing from Jackson is Stew Bolen, who played four seasons in baseball's major league. He was affiliated with the St. Louis Browns during the 1926 and 1927 seasons and played for the Philadelphia Phillies during the '31 and '32 seasons. Football wide receiver Antonio Chatman is from Jackson too.
Despite its penchant for history, Jacksonville is also a happening place today where people are looking forward to the future and enjoying the present. Locals and visitors who are hungry typically head over to College Avenue first, which features a variety of popular eateries, including Nolasco's Mexican and American Food, The Table is Spread, Overstreet's Catfish House, Pine City Bakery and Deli, and the local Pizza Hut.
You can also find some eateries on Commerce Street, which tempts by-passers with tantalizing aromas from such local establishments as the Back Porch Bar B Que and Chee-Chee's Restaurant. The Burger House on Coffeeville Road is also a good place to go for carry-out.
When it comes to shopping at a discount, you can find plenty of bargains in this locale. The city is home to such retailers as the Sears Hometown Store, Fred's Super Dollar, Family Dollar and Dollar General, not to mention Hudson's Dirt Cheap and the WalmartSupercenter stores. Needless to say, if your goal is to save money, you won't have to travel very far.
Work off the calories you consume on the nearby Pinhoti Trail, which winds around the state's highest point, or the Cheaha Mountain. The trailhead is located in the CheahaState Park.
