First settled around 1832, Jacksonville is named for Nicholas and Elizabeth Jackson, landowners who deeded the land to the Cairo & Fulton Railroad for railroad right-of-way in 1870. The community evolved from the settlement surrounding the railroad depot, eventually incorporating in 1941.
In 1955, a major military installation, the Little Rock Air Force Base, was built and the town began to blossom and has continued to do so. The base, which is home to the world's largest C-130 training program, is open for group tours, with prior arrangement.
The town is home to the Jacksonville Military History Museum, which spans the town's military history from the Civil War to Vietnam. You can take in more history at Reed's Bridge Battlefield Heritage Park, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The town's annual fall celebration, the Wing Ding Festival, is held in early October.

City Officials

Position	Name
Mayor	Jeff Elmore
Clerk/Treasurer	Susan Davitt
Assistant To Mayor	Michelle Lewis
District Judge	Rita Bailey
City Attorney	Stephanie Friedman
Police Chief	Brett Hibbs
Fire Chief	Alan Laughy
Director Of Public Works	Adam Whitlow
Sanitation Superintendent	Jonathan Collins
Street Superintendent	Paul Southerland
Water Superintendent	Jake Short
Wastewater Superintendent	Thea Hughes
Wastewater Utility Super.	Paul Richards
City Engineer	(Vacant)
Code Enforcement Officer	Marissa Barger
Code Enforcement Officer	Ryan Wright
Director Of Community Development	Benita Ingram
Economic Development Director	Robert Birch
Information Technology Director	Brian Harvey
Parks, Recreation Director	Kevin House
Communications Director	Tabby Hughes
Council Member	(Vacant)
Council Member	Mike Dietz
Council Member	Joy Kinman
Council Member	Michael LaBron
Council Member	Kevin McCleary
Council Member	Trenika McCoy
Council Member	Richard Moss
Council Member	Rose Rains
Council Member	Reedie Ray
Council Member	Mary Twitty
Finance Director	Cheryl Erkel
Human Resources Director	Charlette Nelson