Is Jackson, Tennessee really that beatiful? (Memphis, Whiteville: new home, shop, safer)

[Mike in TN]

I believe someone in Johnny's band was from Jackson, TN. However, I don't think he was talking about that dump in his song.

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by cobolt

So when Johnny Cash and June Carter were singing about "Jackson," did they mean Jackson, TN or Jackson, MS? I always assumed Jackson, MS, but what do I know?

Neither Johnny or June wrote that song; but it was about Jackson, MS.

[strumpeace]

1) WS Holland, who played drums for Johnny Cash, is from Jackson TN. Carl Perkins, who played guitar for Johnny Cash on The Johnny Cash Show and toured for many years with Cash, lived in Jackson.

2) IIRC, the writers of 'Jackson' never specified which Jackson they were referring to. The song was written several years before Johnny Cash sang it and could have just as easily been about Jackson, Michigan, as Jackson TN or Jackson MS.

[cobolt]

I know it wasn't written by Carter or Cash. I just always wondered what Jackson they were singing about and figured since it was a country song, it would more likely be targeted to a Jackson in the South rather than the North, which is why I was thinking MS or TN.

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by cobolt

I know it wasn't written by Carter or Cash. I just always wondered what Jackson they were singing about and figured since it was a country song, it would more likely be targeted to a Jackson in the South rather than the North, which is why I was thinking MS or TN.

My great grandmother and June's grandparent were related. I grew up being told it was Jackson MS. Maybe it wasn't.

[cobolt]

Well you know... the song, talking about breezing into that city and talking about it ever since the fire went out and the like. I always got the sense that in the song, it was about shaking up a marriage and going to Jackson to sow some wild oats. I've never been to Jackson, TN but I've been through Jackson, MS a few times and it seemed sizable, so in my mind, I just made that connection, but I guess who cares, right? It's just a song....a pretty good one too.

[PeacefulOnLakeCherokee]

My wife is a native and I asked her if Jackson was beautiful...She looked at me like I was crazy.

It may be beautiful if you like flat land and high crime/drugs. Why choose there when you have gorgeous mtns, lakes & rivers in east tn? To each their own i suppose

[LAangel9190]

I go to school in Jackson, and it's alright. I'm from suburban St. Louis, and I live in an area with a lot of green space ( I live within walking distance of a nature preservation), so I'm used to seeing a lot of trees and nature. That being said, I don't like how Jackson, toward downtown and north up Highland and the Bypass, really lack greenery and just general beauty. How Jackson looks is possibly my least favorite thing about living here.
There are some nicer prettier areas, such as out by union and if you keep driving on Oil Well, and If you go out south on Highland. Then again, this is an opinion. My idea of "Beautiful" is a lot of greenspace, trees, and hills. If you like a more crowded, cityish look, then you'll like Jackson.

[kingchef]

no, i would never stand on the assertion that jackson is beautiful. it is kinda like taking a real ugly date out in public, "...keep 'em in a soft light...or..."just a little farther back, barney!" jackson has some very pretty communities. some are gated and some are not. it has some very upscale neighborhoods which boasts multimillion dollar homes. many of these surround artificial lakes w/ fountains, many have stone, brick, lumber, or strung wire fences, golf courses, manicured greenery, creeks, large hills, rolling hills, large spances of flat ground sown w/ kentucky blue grass, zoyiza, alfalfa, etc. many are mansions, some are large homes, and others are estates.

unfortunately, one of the main north-south corridors through the city, the keith short bypass, carries about 40-45,000 cars daily. this corridor goes into and out of downtown jackson. the bypass is no longer a functional bypass, consequently, everyone traveling its path gets the tour through major commercial districts, warehouse districts, swamp runoff, used car lots, railroads, and the like. even though downtown has experienced some major rebuilding after a 2003 tornado destroyed about 1/3 of downtown, there, in my opinion, needs to be much more beautification work.

the approach to downtown jackson from the west on the bypass places one on a 25 to 30 ft elevation overlooking the city. this makes for an awkward and unflattering view. looking at a structure's rooftop, air conditioning, and drainage system seems to be somewhat akin to standing beneath an individual who is on a ladder wearing no drawers. you don't necessarily want to see it, but you really can't turn away---and you get the picture! perhaps some investment in treetop or herb gardens or urban gardens, statuary, painting...something in a softer light.

to conclude, jackson has some very "pretty areas." to the one who is returning home after 30 years away, to the soldier returning safely home after a tour of military duty, to the runaway who misses the love of parent or guardian, or to the individual who returns home after a near-death experience or after undergoing treatment for a life-threatening illness, these folk would most likely see the place as beautiful. and, as a beholder, who would wish to argue with them.

[NY Annie]

We just (less than an hour ago) returned home from our home-buying trip to Jackson. I can only say that I'm impressed with Jackson. It was far more than we expected. It IS a beautiful area and we bought a house about 1/2 hour south of the city. I didn't expect to find as many amenities as we saw - shopping galore, very quaint downtown, and right outside of Jackson in all directions is country! I am so glad we decided on the Jackson area for our retirement home.