Jackson County

Jackson County Offices

Jackson County Town List

Jackson County, Texas, got its name from U.S. President Andrew Jackson. It was created in 1835. The first settlers were the Cherokee Indians who lived on a reservation near present-day Fort Worth, TX. They had been forced to move there by the U.S. government after being removed from their ancestral lands west of the Mississippi River. 

The county seat is Edna, a town famous for its vibrant economy and home to county offices. Additionally, it is easy to access this town, thanks to the strategic location of Interstate 35E, which runs through the center of the city. This highway connects with I-20 at both ends of Jackson County.  

History of Early Settlers 

Before the Jackson County establishment, early settlers comprised Indians, Spaniards, French, Mexicans, and Americans. In 1730, the Spaniards established an outpost called San Antonio de Valero.  

After Mexico won independence from Spain, they took over the area known as New Mexico Territory. Then in 1830, Mexican General Santa Anna led his army into Texas during the Texas Revolution. He captured several towns, including Bexar.  

During the war, he also fought against the Texans under Sam Houston. When the war ended, the United States annexed all land east of the Rio Grande river. That included what would become Jack County. 

In 1836, Congress passed legislation creating counties out of areas previously part of other states. One such law divided the state into 36 counties. Each one was given a number based upon where it was geographically situated within the state.  

For example, Dallas County was numbered one because it was the most northern county. At the time, the new counties did not have any official names. However, some people began calling them “county seats” or “seat.” Eventually, these terms came to be used more often than the actual numbers assigned to each county.  

Most early inhabitants depended on agriculture for survival. Some raised cattle while others grew corn, wheat, cotton, oats, barley, beans, etc. Many farmers sold their products directly to consumers rather than going through go-betweens.  

As demand increased, so too did prices. Farmers found themselves competing with larger companies that bought up large tracts of farmland. These businesses then hired workers to farm the fields. By 1880, many farms employed hundreds of laborers.  

Modern Economic Activities in Jackson County 

Agriculture is still a considerable part of the county’s economy. Most residents work in agriculture-related jobs. Many small business owners sell goods locally. However, the new technology makes agriculture more profitable.  

Today’s farmers can buy machinery that allows them to grow bigger yields per acre. Additionally, modern farming techniques enable farmers to produce food without having to rely solely on natural resources.  

As mentioned earlier, the county has a solid economic base due to its proximity to major cities. Because of this, many industries are located here. Companies include: 

• Manufacturing plants
• Oil refineries
• Chemical manufacturing facilities
• Food processing plants

These companies employ thousands of local citizens. They provide good-paying jobs which help support families throughout the community. The county government provides services to assist those living outside of town.  

It maintains roads, bridges, water systems, schools, fire departments, police stations, courthouses, libraries, parks, recreation centers, public health clinics, and much more.   

Additionally, tourism has grown significantly since the 1990s. Today, visitors come to see the beautiful scenery and enjoy recreational activities.  

The economy of Jackson continues to thrive. This is primarily thanks to the efforts of the elected officials.  

Attractions and Tourism in Jackson County 

There are numerous attractions throughout the county. Visitors can go hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, boating, swimming, horseback riding, golfing, sightseeing, shopping, dining, and more.  

In addition to all of these things, several museums and historical sites are scattered around the area. Here are just a few examples: 

• Lake Texana- Located near Lake LBJ, this lake offers excellent fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities. 
• Texas State Aquarium – A popular attraction, this aquarium features exhibits about various animals from across the world. 
• Texana Museum- Located at the University of Texas campus, this museum houses over 10 million artifacts dating back 12000 years ago. 
• Lavaca Bluffs Vineyard and Winery- Located near Lake L.B. J, this winery produces award-winning wines.  

Financial Transparency 

Jackson County uses an open book accounting system. All financial transactions are made available online. Any citizen may view any transaction by logging into the website.  

• Budgets: Budgets are prepared annually by each department within the county. These budgets outline how the county’s administration will spend money during the upcoming year. Each budget includes projected revenue and expenses.  
• Taxes: Taxes are collected through property taxes. Property tax rates vary depending upon location. For example, homeowners pay higher rates than renters do. 
• Check Register: Check registers show when checks were written out and what was paid with the check. 

• Payroll Records: Payroll records detail employee salaries and benefits. Employees must sign payroll forms before they receive their wages. 
• Utility reports: Utility bills include detailed usage statistics such as electricity consumption, gas use, telephone calls, etc. 

County Offices 

The key county offices in Jackson county are as follows; 

The County Judge’s Office is under Jill Sklar. She handles many administrative duties, including maintaining court dockets and handling other legal matters. Contact the office at 361-782-2352. 

The County Clerk’s Office handles record-keeping and maintenance issues related to land titles. Katherine Brooks is the County Clerk. You can contact them at 361-782-3563. 

The County Auditor’s Office is under Michelle Darilek. She audits the books on behalf of the citizens. Contact the office at 361-782-2072. 

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is under A. J. “Andy” Louderback. The office ensures that crime does not occur in the county. They also handle traffic control and law enforcement. Contact them at 361-782-3371. 

The Tax Collector’s Office is under Monica Foster. It handles collecting sales taxes and filing returns. Contact them at 361-782-3473. 

Finally, the County Treasurers’ Office is under Mary Horton. The role is to collect funds for public projects. Contact them at 361-782-3402.