It was renamed "Jacksboro" in 1858, when it became the county seat, in honor of brothers William and Patrick Jack, veterans of the Texas Revolution.

[9] It continued to suffer from Native American raids until Fort Richardson was built and garrisoned in 1870 south of Jacksboro.

The town gained national attention in 1871 when two Kiowa chiefs, Satanta and Big Tree, were tried for murder there.

The arrival of the Chicago, Rock Island & Texas Railroad in 1898 increased the town's commercial importance to the surrounding region, enhancing it as a center of trade.

U.S. Route 380 joins US 281 in the center of Jacksboro, but heads west out of town on Belknap Street, leading 27 miles (43 km) to Graham.

Fort Worth is 60 miles (97 km) southeast of Jacksboro via US 281 and Texas State Highway 199.

[1] The water area comprises Lake Jacksboro, a reservoir on Lost Creek in the northeast part of the city.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

[13] As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,184 people, 1,468 households, and 861 families residing in the city.