Jacksonville
Around Jacksonville
Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Texas · 53k people
Jacksonville
Locals say Cherokee County · “Tomato Capital of the World”
Where the pines meet the tomatoes
Tomato RedPiney Woods Green
Welcome to Cherokee County, where the piney woods meet small-town charm. Whether you're here for the tomatoes, the railroad, or just to slow down, you'll find a friendly wave and a good cup of coffee.
Clubs for Jacksonville
No clubs for Jacksonville yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Jacksonville. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Jacksonville. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Texas State Railroad Scenic train rides between Rusk and Palestine
- Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari Drive-through wildlife park with exotic animals
- Lake Jacksonville Reservoir for fishing, boating, and camping
- The Tomato Bowl Historic football stadium in Jacksonville
- Cherokee County Courthouse 19th-century courthouse in Rusk
- Jim Hogg State Historic Site Home of Texas governor Jim Hogg, now a museum
- Outdoors Fishing at Lake Jacksonville
- Outdoors Hiking the Piney Woods trails
- With kids Riding the Texas State Railroad
- With kids Visiting the drive-thru safari
- Evenings Listening to live music at local bars
- Evenings Attending high school football games at the Tomato Bowl
- Locals love Family-owned diners
- Locals love Barbecue joints
Through the year
- Jacksonville Tomato Festival June Celebrates the tomato industry with food, music, and family fun
- Cherokee County Fair September County fair with livestock, carnival rides, and exhibits
- Cherokee County Livestock Show Winter Youth livestock competitions and auction
- Texas State Railroad Polar Express Train November-December Holiday-themed train rides with hot cocoa and lights
East Texas has hot, humid summers and mild winters with occasional ice storms. Best times to be outdoors are spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities.
Getaways
- Tyler Rose gardens and shopping
- Palestine Historic downtown and the railroad
- Athens Lake Athens and local eateries
- Nacogdoches Oldest town in Texas, historic sites
Local flavour
Rooting for Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Texas Rangers (MLB), Dallas Mavericks (NBA), Dallas Stars (NHL), Texas A&M Aggies (NCAA), University of Texas Longhorns (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Chicken fried steak A Texas staple, often served with cream gravy.
- Texas barbecue (brisket) Slow-smoked brisket, a regional favorite.
- Pecan pie Pecans are abundant in East Texas.
- Sweet tea A Southern classic, served everywhere.
Where people go
- Family-owned diners Classic small-town eateries with home-style cooking.
- Barbecue joints Smokehouses and pits that serve slow-cooked meats.
- Tomato farms
- Piney woods trails Hiking and nature paths through the dense East Texas forests.
- Small-town main streets Historic downtown areas with local shops and community gathering spots.
Heritage and traditions
Cherokee County is proud of its deep East Texas roots, from the ancient Caddo mounds to the tomato industry that made Jacksonville famous, and the enduring charm of its small towns and piney woods.
This time of year in Jacksonville
- Deer hunting season Fall Hunters head to the piney woods, and the county fair is a highlight.
- Caddo Mounds Heritage Festival October Celebrates the Caddo Indian heritage with demonstrations, dancing, and traditional foods.
Say it like a local: “bless your heart” — A polite expression of sympathy or pity
Festivals
- Caddo Mounds Heritage Festival October Celebrates the Caddo Indian heritage with demonstrations, dancing, and traditional foods.
- Rusk Old Town Christmas December Historic downtown Rusk lights up with carolers, carriage rides, and a festive market.
Landmarks with a story
- Caddo Mounds State Historic Site Ancient Caddo village and burial mounds dating back over a thousand years.
- Jim Hogg State Historic Site Birthplace of Texas Governor James Stephen Hogg, featuring a replica of his boyhood home.
- Rusk's Historic Downtown Well-preserved 19th-century buildings housing shops, cafes, and the county courthouse.
Food traditions
- Tomato sandwiches Fresh, vine-ripened tomatoes from local farms on white bread with mayonnaise, a summer staple.
- Fried pies Hand-held fruit pies, often peach or apple, sold at roadside stands and local diners.
- Deer sausage Made from hunted venison, a fall and winter favorite, often smoked and served at gatherings.
Music and arts
- East Texas country and gospel music A strong tradition of church choirs and local country bands.
- Caddo pottery and basket weaving Revived craft traditions inspired by the area's Native American heritage.
A little history
- 800-1300 AD Caddo civilization
- 1830s Cherokee removal
- 1846 County established
- Early 1900s Tomato industry boom
- 1909 Texas State Railroad begins
Rivalries
- Jacksonville vs. Rusk high school football Friendly but fierce local rivalry
- Game day Friday night football at the Tomato Bowl
- Outdoors Visiting the Caddo Mounds and walking the interpretive trails
- Outdoors Hiking to Love's Lookout
- With kids Exploring the Caddo Mounds
- With kids Picking tomatoes at a local farm
East Texas drawl with a slow, friendly pace. Common phrases include 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'.
Only here
- The Caddo Mounds, one of the few remaining Caddo ceremonial sites in Texas
- The water tower painted like a giant tomato
- The nickname 'Tomato Capital of the World'
New here? A few tips
- Expect hot, humid summers and mild winters; stay hydrated and use bug spray.
- Try a tomato sandwich with fresh, local tomatoes and mayonnaise.
- Visit the Caddo Mounds State Historic Site to learn about the area's ancient history.
- Learn to say 'y'all' – it's a friendly way to address a group.
- Check the schedule for the Texas State Railroad for a scenic ride through the woods.
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Part of Tyler area
Nearby
Every areaPalestineTexasWhere dogwoods bloom and the pines whisperTylerTexasWhere roses bloom and pines whisper.AthensTexasBlack-eyed peas, fiddles, and quiet lake evenings.NacogdochesTexasWhere Texas history meets the Piney WoodsCrockettTexasPiney woods, river bottoms, and good people.LongviewTexasWhere the pines meet the oil fields, and the tea is always sweet.LufkinTexasWhere the pines meet the waterCorsicanaTexasFruitcake capital, Texas proud.
Jacksonville, TX. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.