TOMATO FEST A Tasty Tradition Every year, hordes of folks stream into downtown Jacksonville to explore the array of vendors and activities that line Commerce Street on the second Saturday of each June. The Annual Tomato Fest has ripened into its third decade as a celebratory homage to the town's heritage, a much-anticipated event [...]
LAKE JACKSONVILLE Lots to Love! 1325-Acre Liquid Landscape Since it was constructed in 1957, the Lake Jacksonville body of water has provided exceptional beauty and recreation for residents and area visitors - including a renowned fishery. One of the lake's distinguishing characteristics is its crystal clear water, adding to the depth of its [...]
VANISHING TEXANA MUSEUM An Emporium of East Texas History Contrary to its name, the Vanishing Texana Museum in Jacksonville is committed to preserving the culture and history of Texas (aka Texana) to ensure that it does NOT vanish - particularly that of the East Texas region, Cherokee [...]
TOMATO BOWL STADIUM Rebirth of an Icon Situated on a hilltop at the end of Jacksonville's downtown Commerce Street, the Tomato Bowl football stadium has served as an elevated icon for eight decades. Residents and visitors alike share a deeply-seated sentiment toward this renowned landmark. Indeed, the Tomato Bowl has been inducted into the [...]
ORIGINS Our Town Is Born A ROUGH FIRST YEAR The year of Jacksonville's birth - 1838 - was also the year that indelibly stamped Jacksonville's unique history with the Killough Massacre. Documented as East Texas' worst Indian atrocity, the massacre occurred approximately seven miles north of Jacksonville Proper. In its aftermath, the massacre claimed [...]
