Jackson, MS
Capital of Mississippi
Known as “The City with Soul”
Overview
Jackson is the capital city of Mississippi, located in the Southeast region of the United States. Founded in 1822, the city has grown to a population of approximately 153,701 residents within a state of 2,961,279 people. As both the largest city and capital of Mississippi, Jackson serves as the political, administrative, and economic center of the state.
The city is home to the Mississippi State Capitol, a Beaux-Arts structure that has been a landmark since its completion in 1903. Designed by Theodore C. Link, the capitol building stands as a testament to the state's history and governance, attracting visitors from across the country and around the world.
Jackson has served as the capital of Mississippi since 1821. Before Jackson, the state's capital was located in Natchez, Washington and Columbia.
Mississippi State Capitol
The Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson is a Beaux-Arts masterpiece completed in 1903, featuring a massive copper dome crowned with a gilded eagle with a 15-foot wingspan. The building was designed by Theodore C. Link, who also designed St. Louis Union Station. The interior boasts elaborate marble work, Tiffany-style stained glass, and ornate plasterwork.
U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Notable Features
- Copper dome crowned with an 8-foot gilded eagle
- Beaux-Arts design by Theodore C. Link
- Tiffany-style stained glass windows
- Elaborate Italian marble staircases and floors
- Decorative plasterwork and painted ceilings
- Recently restored exterior and interior (2009 renovation)
Media Gallery
Original footage coming soon! User-submitted photos welcome.
Fun Facts & Trivia
- ★The gilded eagle atop the Mississippi State Capitol has a wingspan of 15 feet.
- ★Jackson was named after Andrew Jackson, who later became the seventh President of the United States.
- ★The current capitol replaced a building that was gutted by fire and is the third to serve the state.
- ★Mississippi was the second state to secede from the Union in January 1861.
- ★The Old Capitol, built in 1839, is now a museum of Mississippi history and was designated a National Historic Landmark.
- ★Jackson was nearly destroyed during the Civil War, burned by Union troops under General William T. Sherman, earning the nickname 'Chimneyville.'