Timeline of Jackson, Mississippi facts for kids

The following is a of the exciting history of Jackson, the capital city of Mississippi, USA.

Jackson is a city with a rich past, full of important moments that shaped Mississippi. From becoming the state capital in the 1800s to playing a key role in the Civil Rights Movement, Jackson has seen many changes. This timeline will take you through some of the most interesting events in its history, showing how it grew and developed over the years.

The 1800s: Early Days and Growth

• 1821
  • Jackson became the new capital of Mississippi. It moved from Natchez.
  • A place for burials, Greenwood Cemetery, was started.
• 1822
  • In January, the state lawmakers met in Jackson.
  • The town was carefully planned out.
• 1838 - The State Library was created.
• 1839 - The Old State House building was finished.
• 1840
  • A train line between Vicksburg and Jackson began.
  • Jackson officially became a city.
  • A state prison was built.
• 1842
  • James H. Boyd became the city's mayor.
  • The Governor's mansion was built.
• 1845 - A college opened inside the Eagle Hotel.
• 1846
  • The City Hall building was completed.
  • St. Peter's church was officially opened.
• 1847 - The Mississippi Institute for the Blind was founded.
• 1858 - The New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern Railroad started running.
• 1861
  • On January 7, Mississippi decided to leave the United States.
  • Jackson became the capital of Mississippi for the Confederacy.
  • A hotel called Confederate House was built.
• 1863
  • On May 14, the Battle of Jackson, Mississippi happened. The Union Army took control of the city.
  • From July 5 to 25, the city was under siege.
• 1864 - From July 2 to 10, the Union Army occupied Jackson again.
• 1866 - The Daily Clarion newspaper started publishing.
• 1867
  • The city's rules were updated.
  • The Beth Israel Synagogue was built.
• 1868
  • An important meeting called the Black and Tan Convention took place.
  • The Colored Citizen’s Monthly newspaper began.
• 1869
  • The Mississippi State Fair started.
  • Tougaloo College was founded near Jackson.
• 1870
  • The People's Journal newspaper began.
  • A library was set up at the Mississippi Penitentiary.
• 1882 - A train line between Natchez and Jackson began.
• 1883 - Jackson College for Negroes opened.
• 1885 - A train line from Yazoo City to Jackson began.
• 1890
  • A meeting to write the state constitution was held.
  • The city's population was 5,920 people.
• 1891 - A monument honoring Confederate soldiers was revealed.
• 1892
  • Millsaps College opened its doors.
  • The Jackson Evening News newspaper began.
• 1894 - Belhaven College for Young Ladies was officially recognized.
• 1898 - Campbell College moved to Jackson from Vicksburg.

The 1900s: Modern Times and Change

• 1900
  • The Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle was dedicated.
  • The population grew to 7,816 people.
• 1901 - The Century Theatre opened.
• 1902
  • The Mississippi Department of Archives and History started in Jackson.
  • An Art Study Club was founded.
• 1903 - The new Mississippi State Capitol building was finished.
• 1906 - The YMCA organization started a local branch.
• 1910 - The population reached 21,262 people.
• 1911 - The Mississippi Art Association was formed.
• 1914 - The Country Club of Jackson was organized.
• 1919 - The Jackson Zoo opened to visitors.
• 1920 - The Clarion-Ledger newspaper was being published.
• 1920s - The NAACP Jackson branch was established.
• 1923 - The Edwards Hotel was built.
• 1925 - The Woodrow Wilson Bridge was constructed.
• 1926
  • The Mississippi Library Commission moved its main office to Jackson.
  • Glendale Methodist Church was established.
• 1927 - The Municipal Clubhouse Art Gallery opened.
• 1929 - WJDX radio began broadcasting.
• 1930
  • The Hinds County Courthouse was built.
  • The population was 48,282 people.
• 1938 - WSLI radio began broadcasting.
• 1939
  • The Jackson Advocate newspaper started.
  • The Pix Theatre was built.
• 1940 - The population reached 62,107 people.
• 1943 - The Alamo Theater was built.
• 1944 - Summers Hotel opened for business.
• 1945 - The Jackson Photographic Society was founded.
• 1947
  • Radio Service Company began its work.
  • The Mississippi Progressive Voters' League started in the city.
• 1949 - Allen C. Thompson became the mayor.
• 1950
  • Trumpet Records started its music business.
  • The population was 98,271 people.
• 1953 - WLBT-TV (television) began broadcasting.
• 1954 - WJTV (television) began broadcasting.
• 1955
  • The University of Mississippi Medical Center opened.
  • Ace Records started its music business.
• 1960 - The population grew to 144,422 people.
• 1961 - The Freedom Rides began, challenging segregation.
• 1962
  • The Jackson Veterans Administration Hospital opened.
  • The Council of Federated Organizations set up its office in the city.
  • The Mississippi Coliseum was built.
• 1963
  • On May 28, a Woolworth sit-in protested segregation.
  • On June 12, civil rights leader Medgar Evers was killed.
• 1966
  • On June 26, the March Against Fear arrived from Memphis.
  • The Subway Lounge music club opened.
• 1967 - Malaco recording studio started its business.
• 1970
  • On May 14, the Jackson State killings occurred.
  • Public schools in Jackson became integrated.
  • The Hinds Community College campus opened.
  • The population was 153,968 people.
• 1970s - The Queen of Hearts music club opened.
• 1975
  • The Jackson Mets baseball team moved to Jackson.
  • Smith–Wills Stadium opened for baseball games.
  • Lemuria Books started its business.
• 1976 - The Jackson Camellia Society was founded.
• 1977 - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Jackson was established.
• 1978 - The Southern Coalition for Educational Equity started in the city.
• 1979 - In April, a major flood hit the city.
• 1980 - The population reached 202,895 people.
• 1983 - Dons nightclub opened.
• 1984 - The Methodist WellsFest began.
• 1985 - The city changed to a mayor-council system of government.
• 1989 - J. Kane Ditto became mayor.
• 1990
  • The 100 Black Men of Jackson organization was founded.
  • The population was 196,637 people.
• 1991 - The Garden Club of Jackson was organized.
• 1997 - Harvey Johnson, Jr. became mayor.
• 1999 - The city's official website went online.

The 2000s: New Millennium

• 2000
  • The Goldring / Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life was founded.
  • The population was 184,256 people.
• 2002
  • The Jackson Free Press newspaper began publishing.
  • The Jackson Senators baseball team was formed.
• 2005
  • Frank Melton became mayor.
  • The Mississippi Children's Museum opened on December 4.
• 2006 - The Eudora Welty House museum opened.
• 2008 - The Mississippi Black Leadership Summit began.
• 2009
  • Leslie B. McLemore became mayor, then Harvey Johnson, Jr. returned as mayor.
  • Gregg Harper became the U.S. representative for Mississippi's 3rd congressional district.
• 2010
  • The movie The Help was filmed in Jackson.
  • The population was 173,514 people.
• 2012 - The estimated population was 175,437.
• 2013 - Chokwe Lumumba became mayor.
• 2014
  • Charles Tillman became interim mayor.
  • Tony Yarber was elected mayor on April 22.
• 2020 - The State Flag of Mississippi was replaced.