Jackson, Mississippi: Home of All-American Baseball

Jackson, Mississippi is in the heart of the south and has been home to music and the Civil Rights movement. Originally the lands of the Choctaw Native American tribe, it retains its history of the Native American influence combined with the early French and European settlers.  One might think the history cotton, beans and livestock is a thing of the past, but in Jackson, it remains a thriving industry to support the area. The residents also pride themselves in their sports, and you can see this pride displayed in the college and university games and even at a roller derby tournament. But it’s baseball that is at the heart of Jackson; and this can be seen at every game, where the baseball scoreboards match the fans yelling with every home run.

Jackson’s past has included so many changes that it is astounding the city survived. Named after President Andrew Jackson, it was the heart of the industrial support for the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Like many southern cities, the loss of the war took it’s toll on the people and the town. Unlike other southern towns, it took many years for Jackson Mississippi to begin a comeback in growth. While recovery was slow, it was steady and the city began to see a decline in the mule drawn wagons a older structures, to be replaced by automobiles, mass transit and newer modern buildings.

Some speculate that the racial attitude of the area was based on the fact that the historic settlers were white Europeans. The land taken from the Choctaw Native American tribe was followed by the cities reputation as a center for poor treatment of the Black Americans.  Jackson Mississippi became the hotbed of racism in the early 1960’s, with more trouble against Black Americans and the Jewish population via the well known Ku Klux Klan.

Change is often a difficult thing to accomplish, but to the credit of the people and the city of Jackson, change did arrive. By the turn of the twenty first century, both White and Black Americans joined together in the largest turnout for voting in the United States. Pride of area and city began to integrate all of the residents so that they worked together to make their area stronger.

As a city, Jackson is the center of music and it is the shared music that offers a bond to all of the residents. Known for blues, jazz and gospel music, the area is richly steeped in some of the music that has changed the world.  Jackson is also proud of its artisans, museums and culture. A visitor must set extra days aside just to visit all of the historic locations throughout the area.

A more recent resurgence in development has given Jackson Mississippi a new look and an air of renaissance. Reconstruction and renovation is bringing a fresh appeal to the downtown area and investors are working to attract more business and jobs.

Sports is another topic that the people of Jackson take seriously. They take pride in their sports arenas as well as the diverse choices in sports teams and competitions. The stadiums and fields are usually packed for football, basketball, hockey, soccer, baseball and track games and meets. But the baseball games with their well-lit baseball scoreboards bring all-American baseball home to Jackson. Jackson Mississippi has proven itself to be a city that shows that change is possible and is above all, beneficial.

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