Jacob City's history as a non-indigenous settlement began in 1752, under
Spanish Florida. But it wasn't until the early 19th century, under American possession, when many formerly
enslaved African Americans moved from Webbville to isolate themselves from harassment from the white people there, most of whose residents moved to
Marianna in 1882. Webbville no longer exists, but was located around the current location of
U.S. 231 and
State Road 73. Marianna was known as the "rich man's town", and no
Black people were welcome. The first known settlement of Jacob City was by a white man named Jacob Jones, who accepted anyone from the
African diaspora to be housed on his property. That is where Jacob City got its name, as they would tell their friends, "Let's go to Jacob's." As Black people arrived to escape oppression, they moved farther down and made horse wagon trails into
dirt roads, forming a small community. By the mid-19th century, it became a permanent settlement known as "
Jacob", and was Jackson County's first
Black community. By the late 19th century, St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church was built on what is now Main Street. It is commemorated by a Jacob City historical marker. By the early 20th century, Jacob's dirt roads were improved and its population rose, but the
poverty level was still high. The community once had a grocery store, a gas station, a
sawmill, a corn mill that used to grind it into
cornmeal and
grits, and a few mills that turned
sugarcane stalks into syrup. It also used to have its own school. St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church still provides
Sunday school for young residents. In 1953, St. Paul's school was established near
Campbellton as an elementary and high school where Jacob children could get a better education. The Campbellton school lasted until 1972. Students now attend school in
Cottondale or
Graceville. In the late 20th century, Jacob modernized and joined the Florida League of Cities. In 1983, Jacob became the
City of Jacob City and built a city hall. ==Geography==