Jackson was founded in 1829 and named after President Andrew Jackson. The town was first called Jacksonopolis. Later, it was renamed Jacksonburgh, and in 1838, the town’s name was changed to simply Jackson.
Michigan’s first prison, the Michigan State Prison, opened in Jackson in 1838 and helped put Jackson on the map.
By 1882, the prison was the largest walled prison in the world. Within its walls, the factories and surrounding farms, manned by cheap inmate labor, made Jackson one of the leading industrial cities in the nation. In 1934 a new prison was completed just north of Jackson’s city limits in Blackman Township.
The original building is now used as an artists’ resident community, known as the Armory Arts Village. Tours of the original prison site on Cooper Street are available through the Original Jackson Historic Prison Tours.
Jackson was an early automobile pioneer, and the auto industry had become Jackson’s main industry. More than 20 different makes of cars were once made in Jackson, including the Reeves, Jackson, Jaxon, Gage, Buick, Standard Electric, Duck, Steel Swallow and Wolverine. Detroit’s auto assembly lines slowed this down, but the auto parts industry continued and is still one of the largest employers in Jackson County.
The Ye Old Carriage Shop in Spring Arbor displays more than 60 antique and classic cars, including five one-of-a-kind and 16 made in Jackson.
In 1914, George Todoroff founded the first “Coney Island restaurant” and created his famous Coney Island topping. His Coney Island restaurant was located next to the railroad station on East Michigan Avenue and was open 24 hours. The restaurant proved to be a popular dining option for rail passengers. Over the course of 31 years, Todoroff sold more than 17 million Coney Island hot dogs. Today, two popular long-time Coney Island restaurants are located in a building near the train station, Virginia Coney Island and Jackson Coney Island.
Numerous railroad connections were constructed to Jackson, connecting it to many markets. Through the mid-twentieth century, Jackson was a major railway hub and for over a century has been known as the crossroads of Michigan. Today the Michigan Central Railroad Jackson Depot is the nation’s oldest train station in continuous active use. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
I had not been to downtown Jackson in a few years, so decided to take a drive over.
Jackson has dozens of classic old buildings, and the first things that caught my eye were the large, colorful murals on dozens of their walls. I asked around and found out that the murals are an organized program and event created by the non-profit Bright Walls organization. It is a public art and mural festival founded and run by volunteer members of the Jackson Young Professionals. In just five years, the festival has hosted artists from across the globe and brought more than 75 murals to the downtown district. Each summer the mural painting climaxes with a large festival. Jackson has run out of buildings to paint so the event is being shifted to music and other activities.
I had hoped to stop by the famous Hinkley Bakery with its large donut selection housed in its 1890s wooden building with a brick facade but got there too late. The bakery originally opened in 1913.
I stopped into Crazy Bob’s Record Store that has been a local institution for over 40 years. The Book Exchange next door has an eclectic selection of used books.
I poked my head in the door of the FarmSudz store and was quickly greeted by Erin, who gave me a tour and showed me the process of cutting large bricks of soap into soap bars. She gave me a variety of colorful, great smelling soap samples. Before I left, Erin pointed out a handful of other fun stores to visit including The Front Porch, a fresh locally grown flowers store across the street.
The historic Michigan Theatre opened in 1930 as part of the Butterfield Theatre chain. It is now owned by the non-profit Michigan Theatre of Jackson and is being restored to its original splendor.
The Ogma Brewing Company has only been open for a few years but has quickly established itself as a funky place with a cool vibe, great food and beer.
The Grand River Brewery is a large brewery with good food and beer. I had a bowl of their tasty mac and cheese before heading home.
I was very impressed with the recent revitalization of Downtown Jackson and would recommend a visit.
