CHICKASAW COUNTY
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Adolph Munson Park

New Hampton Economist
September 5, 1967


Chickasaw County Historical Area - Munson Park
By Helen M. Attleson


Through the efforts of a comparatively small group of determined, aggressive, history-loving folks, a fine recreation area has been established in Jacksonville township, an area that is steeped in early Chickasaw history.

It is Adolph Munson Park, located on the five corners where once the thriving town of Jacksonville was located. Jacksonville was one of the earliest settlements in Chickasaw County, with stores, a hotel, an implement shop, blacksmith shop and the necessary businesses of that era, including a newspaper (the first in the county).

The late Adolph Munson contributed the land. In 1957 Joe F. Smith of Saude donated a log cabin which was moved to the site. Next came the schoolhouse, built in 1888 which was located just west of the park. The third building on the park property was acquired from Jackson Junction, which was the general store and a (one-man jail).

The log cabin was probably built by Isaac Classon and wife, Melissa, who purchased the land on which it stood from the the United States of America in 1859 and lived there until 1864. The last family to live in the cabin was John Jerdee and wife, Christy, who built a new house in 1927.

In 1854, Hazzard Green erected the first building in Jacksonville Township. A settlement resulted and was called Jacksonville. The building, a log hotel, became an important stopping place for travelers along the Old Military Trail, and the stage coach which brought the mail from West Union.

In 1855 a general store and Post Office were established.

In 1856, The village was plotted and lots sold. Two church societies were formed. The town boasted two stores, an Inn, post office, two dwellings and a school. As the town progressed, other business places were added. Several stores, hardware store, tin shop, newspaper office, two blacksmith shops, machine shop, a doctor's office, more dwellings and a town square with a speaker's platform, benches, a flagpole and restful shade trees.

In 1857 the County's first newspaper published. County's first partisan convention. County's first July 4th celebration.

The town dwindled in the 1870's, and disappeared in 1888 when the post office was discontinued after the CM&SP railroad had reached Lawler and New Hampton.

The school house served the people of Jacksonville Independent School District No. 12 from 1888 to 1948. It was moved to the park from its original site 1/4 mile west. The first teacher in this building was Cynthia Hurley Cochran. Mr. Victor LaValle, author of the LAVALLE ARITHMETIC, a book used in schools throughout the U.S.A., taught the winter term here in 1895-1896.

Contributed by Jim Johnson, August 2009.
The article was reformatted and edited by the webmaster and the accompaning news photos were deleted due to lack of clarity.


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