Our History

A Brief 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. From the 2000s to present day, dozens of children (now grown) who were raised in the Heights moved back here when they were older.  These legacy Heights residents purchased homes of their own here in which to raise their own families, near the homes in which they themselves were raised and, in some cases, where their parents still live.

Many of the homes in the Heights were built in the late 1940s and early 1950s, while others were built in the 1970s and beyond. A popular practice is to purchase the older homes and then 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 few remaining neighborhoods in Mobile which can still boast sweeping, grand old Southern lawns.

See the Photos page for views of the neighborhood.

History of the Jackson Heights Garden Club

Part of Jackson Heights was once the grounds of a plant nursery, so the love of flora was established here in the early part of the 20th century.  When the nursery began to be developed in a subdivision, the Jackson Heights Garden Club was born.  

Formed in 1949, it was the first neighborhood watchdog group, community social club, and gardening/beautification organization for the neighborhood.  Since the formation of the JHAA in 2003, the Garden Club transformed into primarily a social group, comprised of the older ladies who established the gardening culture in this neighborhood and lived out their lives here.  

The club is only a memory now, but remains a proud history for us.

History of the JHAA

See the JHAA page.