Our History
History of Mobile
Mobile is named for the Mobilian Indian tribe, thought to be the descendents
of the Mauvila (or Maubila) tribe which occupied the Mobile Bay
area prior to European settlement.
The city of Mobile was founded by the French in 1702. The
first official Mardi Gras celebration in America was held in Mobile in 1703,
130 years before the first official celebration in New
Orleans. More on the history of Mobile
can be found at these links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile%2C_Alabama
http://www.cityofmobile.org/mapsnfacts/index.php
History of Jackson Heights
The neighborhood of Jackson Heights was originally established in 1946.
At its inception, Jackson Heights was one of the
western-most settlements in the city; the city limits were not far beyond
our borders. Our rolling hills and spacious
lawns occupy the second-highest
point in the city. The downtown area and the Mobile River, approximately
eight miles to the east, are just visible from the crown of the hill on
Michael Blvd, the
neighborhood's main street.
Over the years, the city of Mobile has grown up around the neighborhood, and Jackson
Heights is now situated strategically near a wide variety of shops,
restaurants, hospitals and ball parks. Yet it miraculously maintains its peaceful
atmosphere. This is due in part to its location at the dead end of its
main access road; there are no direct east-west or north-south
through-streets. This discourages cut-throughs and keeps the streets
very lightly traveled, used almost exclusively by residents. The
tranquility is also achieved through the presence of abundant old-growth
trees, hedge rows and floral plantings which create a natural sound buffer.
Many Jackson Heights residents have lived here
for decades. In 2008, we can count nearly 20 children (now grown) who were
raised in Jackson Heights and who have "moved back" -- they have bought homes of
their own in this neighborhood and are now raising their own families here,
right near the homes in which they were raised and in which their parents still
live.
Most of the homes here were built in the late
1940s and early 1950s. In recent years, we have seen people purchasing the
older homes to upgrade, modernize and expand on them.
Our neighborhood covenants forbid subdivision of the plots into
smaller parcels. This ensures that the oversize lots are maintained and
that each homeowner's property retains an estate-like look and feel. This
makes Jackson Heights one of the last neighborhoods in Mobile which can still boast
sweeping, grand old Southern lawns.
See our Photos page
for views of the neighborhood.
History of the JHAA
The Jackson Heights Area Association (JHAA) is a non-profit, all-volunteer
organization dedicated to developing community awareness in and about the
Jackson Heights neighborhood. The JHAA was
founded in 2004. The JHAA has continually sought to improve the area. From the mundane aspects of
clean-up campaigns, to the complicated issues of historic preservation,
zoning, and urban planning, the Association serves as a guardian and
spokesperson of the neighborhood.
History of the Jackson Heights Garden Club
The Jackson Heights Garden Club was formed in 1949, and was the first
neighborhood watchdog group, community social club and
gardening/beautification organization for the neighborhood. The club
still meets today. Click here for
more information.
Neighborhood Boundaries
For information on neighborhood boundaries, and to view aerial maps and the original
neighborhood development plat, click here: Neighborhood Maps & Plats
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