Jacksonville in Cherokee County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Jacksonville Independent School District
Photographed by James Hulse, September 3, 2023
1. Jacksonville Independent School District Marker
Inscription.
Jacksonville Independent School District. . Jacksonville's early settlers valued education and had a school as early as 1846 at the original townsite. The Texas Legislature authorized creation of county school districts in 1854, and by the 1860s, Old Jacksonville supported at least two schools. In 1872, residents moved closer to the railroad, and by 1873, they established their first public school. More schools opened, including, at this site, the town's first free public school. Between 1905 and 1907, the city formed its own district with campuses for both white and black students. The schools integrated in the late 1960s. The district's notable graduates include Olympic and professional athletes, Grammy winners, Tony award nominees and many other successes.
Jacksonville's early settlers valued education and had a school as early as 1846 at the original townsite. The Texas Legislature authorized creation of county school districts in 1854, and by the 1860s, Old Jacksonville supported at least two schools. In 1872, residents moved closer to the railroad, and by 1873, they established their first public school. More schools opened, including, at this site, the town's first free public school. Between 1905 and 1907, the city formed its own district with campuses for both white and black students. The schools integrated in the late 1960s. The district's notable graduates include Olympic and professional athletes, Grammy winners, Tony award nominees and many other successes.
Erected 2003 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12915.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.
Location. 31° 57.929′ N, 95° 16.088′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Texas, in Cherokee County. It is at the intersection of Austin Street and East Commerce Street on Austin Street. The marker is located at the west entrance to the Tomato Bowl Football Stadium. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Austin Street, Jacksonville TX 75766, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Piney Woods. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Also see . . . 1. Jacksonville, TX (Cherokee County). Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on September 13, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
2. History of the Tomato Bowl. Jacksonville ISD (Submitted on September 13, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed by James Hulse, September 3, 2023
2. Jacksonville Independent School District Marker
Photographed by James Hulse, September 3, 2023
3. The Jacksonville Independent School District Marker is on the right side of the stairs
Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 231 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on September 13, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
