Jackson

The welcome signs on the outskirts of Jackson welcome visitors and residents alike to the city of "beautiful homes, churches, schools and parks."

This growing city has more than 12,000 residents. Each year, new businesses open and new homes are built. There's plenty of recreation as well, inside the city limits and just a few miles away at natural resources like Trail of Tears State Park.

Libraries

There are two libraries in Jackson:

* Jackson Public Library: 100 N. Missouri Street, Jackson, Mo. 63755; (573) 243-5150

* Riverside Regional Library: 204 S. Union Street, Jackson, Mo. 63755; (573) 243-8141

The city's sales tax is set at $.06225 cents on the dollar. In August of 2005, voters approved a $19.8 million bond issue to revamp Jackson High School.

Voting

To register in this county, go to the County Clerk's office at the Cape Girardeau County Administrative Building, 1 Barton Square in Jackson.

You do not have to declare a party affiliation in Missouri. All you need is identification -- usually a driver license is sufficient. Residents can also register at the Common Pleas Annex at the corner of Lorimier and Themis streets in Cape Girardeau, at the Cape Girardeau Public Library at 711 N. Clark and at the Riverside Regional Library in Jackson.

Utilities

* Electricty - contact City Hall by phone at 243-3568 or in person in uptown Jackson

* Water - contact City Hall by phone at 243-3568 or in person in uptown Jackson

* Gas - contact Atmos Energy 1-888-824-3434

Outlying Rural Areas

* AmerenUE 651-5600 located at 400 Broadway, Cape Girardeau

* Citizens Electric 573-824-5233

* Public Water 573-243-7111

* SEMO Electric Cooperative 1-800-813-5230

Business

Jackson is home to dozens of businesses including banks, restaurants, doctors' and dentists' offices, law practices, construction companies and a wide variety of retail to name only a few.

Contact the Jackson Chamber of Commerce at 125 E. Main Street, Jackson, Mo. 63755 or call (573) 243-8131 for more information.

Among the largest manufacturing employers in Jackson are Rubbermaid Closet Organization Products, Jackson R-2 schools, ARI Industries, a manufacturer of railroad cars, Kasten Masonry, Ceramo Inc., NLC Lenco, Rapco, Penzel Construction and Midwest Sterilization.

Indian sculpture in Jackson

Fun facts

Jackson is the starting location of the 100 Mile Yard Sale each year -- a garage sale that runs Memorial Day weekend from Jackson to Kennett, Mo .

The city is also home to the St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway -- Southeast Missouri's only steam engine passenger train. The train, which runs routes through Jackson, Cape Girardeau and Delta, also hosts re-enactments of the Civil War, robberies by the Jesse James Gang and run-ins with the infamous Bonnie and Clyde .

Jackson was founded in 1814 and is the county seat of Cape Girardeau County.

The city is home to several buildings with historical significance, including the Oliver House, a house named for Sen. Robert Oliver, who started his law practice in Jackson and lived in the house. His wife, Marie Watkins Oliver, designed and made the first official flag of the state of Missouri. The home has been completely restored in recent years and now serves as a museum.

McKendree Chapel, another historic building, was constructd in 1819. It is the oldest Protestant church and the first Methodist church building still standing west of the Mississippi River.

City government

City Hall is located at 101 Court Street, (573) 243-3568

City officials

Mayor Paul Sander

City administrator Jim Roach

Assistant city administrator Larry Koenig

City judge Patrick O' Loughlin

City attorney Tom Ludwig

Parks superintendent Shane Anderson

Utilities director Don Schuette

Power plant superintendent John King

Streets superintendent Steve Hendrix

City collector Brenda Bartles

City clerk Mary Lowry

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Quote

"What do I love about Jackson? The small town community"

~-- Jackson resident, Sabrina Rightnowar