| description:
|
Jacksonville was founded in 1833 on land purchased from Creek Indian Chief "Du-Hoag" Ladiga. First called Drayton, it was renamed to honor President Andrew Jackson in 1834. There are a few Civil War monuments in town, including a statue of Major John Pelham in the city cemetery and a statue of Gen John H. Forney in the middle of the square. Jacksonville served as the county seat for Calhoun County until 1899 when it moved to Anniston. Jacksonville State University was founded here in 1883. |