Jacksons Would Be Amazed at School Complex

CENTRAL — The Central School Complex is adding new prominence to a name that Central residents hear quite frequently: Jackson.

Riding along Sullivan Road, we see BREC’s Jackson Park.

Then a little bit farther north, we see Jackson Place subdivision and Virgil Jackson Avenue. Now the new School Complex is being built on the old Jackson family homestead. But who were the Jacksons?

William Pleasant Jackson came to Central in the early 1900’s from Texas.  He and his wife had seven sons.  One died at age 21, but all the rest lived to become successful men. The six sons posed together in the photo above in 1927.

The most famous Jackson was Virgil Jackson, who became a prominent New Orleans dentist.

Leon ran a service station in Baton Rouge and was a deputy U.S. marshal.

Claude lived on Hooper Road and worked at O. A. Cotton’s Jewelry Store. Ernest was in the insurance business in California.

Pearlie was also in the insurance business in New Orleans.

O.D. worked for the federal government. Virgil was Republican National Committee from Louisiana and was influential in Republican politics in the state when there weren’t any Republicans here.  The GOP started having more influence with the election of President Eisenhower in 1952.

The Jacksons used their property in Central as a summer home and weekend retreat.  They donated some of the land for the community to use as Jackson Park.

Dr. Virgil Jackson’s son, Virgil Jr., built a house and pool at the site of the new School Complex.  It was demolished to make way for the school.  I took a photograph of their house and pool before it was removed.

Today, the only sign left of the Jackson family is the beautiful gazebo nestled among the live oaks.  It is believed to have been built by Virgil Jr.  Hopefully, it will be around for quite a long time as a reminder of this family who left their name on Central.

Wouldn’t they be amazed at what is going on at their old homesite?

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DreamFest at Central Private. Debbie Dean is inviting everyone to come out to Central Private next weekend, April 21-23, for the annual DreamFest celebration.

Debbie said, “DreamFest 2011 will feature live music by Old Sole, Kenny Acosta, and the Chris LeBlanc Band.  We will have carnival rides, student sponsored booths, alumni vs. student games, student entertainment, karaoke, and lots of good food including BBQ chicken and ribs and Jambalaya.  We have guest groups coming in to perform such as Central Community Theater and Legworks by Terri.  We will also have a Homerun Derby and 3 Point Shootout with our own basketball players and any others who want to join in on the fun.”

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Synthetic Marijuana Prohibited in Central. City Councilman Wayne Messina authored and the Central City Council has approved an ordinance to prohibit the sale and distribution of synthetic marijuana in the City of Central.  This substance has hit the market recently and caused considerable mischief.  The legislature will undoubtedly prohibit it in the session, but Central’s action is designed to keep it out of Central even before the legislature considers the matter.  Congratulations, Councilman Messina!