A Brief History of Jackson, MS

Louis LeFleur, a French-Canadian trader, first settled Jackson in 1792. During hte late 18th and early 19th century, the Natchez Trace traversed the area, where a trading post stood before a treaty, which the Choctaw, the Treaty of Doak's Stand in 1820, formally opened the area for non-native American settlers.

The city was originally known as LeFleur's Bluff was primarily founded for the need for a centrally locted capital for the state of Mississippi. In 1821 the Mississippi General Assembly had sent Thomas Hinds, James Patton, and William Lattimore to look for a site. After surveying areas north and east of Jackson, they proceeded southwest along the Pearl River until they finally reached LeFleur's Bluff in Hinds County. They reported to the General Assembly that the location had beautiful and healthy surroundings, a wealthy water supply, abundant timber, and navigable waters and was in close proximity to the Natchez Trace. The Assembly that authorized the location to become teh permanent seat of the government of the state of Mississippi passed a legislative Act.