The area of present day Jackson had been inhabited by indigenous peoples for thousands of years prior to the arrival of settlers. In 1851, after the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux was signed, settlers got access to the area in exchange for government payments to the original inhabitants.

Jackson was founded in 1856 as Springfield, but the next year it was renamed Jackson after Saint Paul merchant Henry Jackson.

There are several hotels and restaurants in Jackson. The city is located in the south of Minnesota, not far from the state line with Iowa and 215 km southwest from Saint Paul.