Mount Jackson, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mount Jackson, Pennsylvania
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Lawrence |
| Township | North Beaver |
| Elevation | 1,152 ft (351 m) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1181724 |
Mount Jackson is a small village located in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. About 1,000 people live here. You can find the North Beaver Fire Department, local government buildings, the Mount Jackson Presbyterian Church, and a recycling center in the village.
Contents
History of Mount Jackson
How Mount Jackson Got Its Name
Mount Jackson was founded in 1815 by a brave settler named John Nesbit. He planned out the village in North Beaver Township, which is now part of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. Nesbit named the new settlement after a famous American soldier, General Andrew “Old Hickory” Jackson. General Jackson was a hero of the War of 1812 and later became the President of the United States from 1829 to 1837.
Early Days of the Village
When Mount Jackson was first settled, it slowly grew into a busy little village. It soon had its own post office, a school, and several shops and mills. There were also two Presbyterian churches for the early settlers. Most of these first residents were of Scotch-Irish background and followed the Presbyterian faith.
According to a history book called Our Legacy, written in 1990 by Don Fox, Major Edward Wright was one of the very first people known to live in the area.
Becoming an Official Town
John Nesbit was the main person behind founding Mount Jackson. He started planning the town on his farm around 1815. To make the town official, or "incorporated," it needed a post office. So, an application was sent to the state government to make this happen.
Travel and Transportation
For many years, a special stage line passed through Mount Jackson all the way to Enon Valley. This was a very important route! For people living in New Castle, this stage line was the only way to catch a train. Enon Valley was the end of the train tracks and the only station nearby.
North Beaver Township was created in 1810, and Mount Jackson quickly became the most important place in the township.
First Businesses and Buildings
The very first house built in Mount Jackson belonged to William Henry. He had been living nearby on Hickory Creek. William Henry also became the first postmaster for the village.
George Eckles was the first blacksmith in Mount Jackson. Blacksmiths were important because they made and repaired metal tools and horseshoes. Even in the 1940s, there were still blacksmiths working in the area.
Joseph Hughes opened the first shop that made wagons, and Benjamin Wells was the first shoemaker. Another house in the village was used as a tavern, a place where people could gather and get drinks.
While many of these old businesses are gone, some still remain today. You can find businesses like Miller's Furniture Barn and Wes's Heating and Cooling. The Mount Jackson Presbyterian and Westfield Presbyterian churches are also still active.
Roads Named for Heroes
Many of the roads in Mount Jackson are named after important war heroes. This is a way to remember and honor their contributions.