Meridian has undergone a revival in recent years and is regaining its place as one of the state’s key cities.

The city has seen the opening of new businesses on Front Street and throughout the downtown area, living spaces like the Rosenbaum Condominiums, restaurants like the newly renovated Weidmann’s on 22nd Avenue and, in September, the grand opening of the Mississippi State University-Riley Center for Education and the Performing Arts.

City and county officials are collaborating on a new industrial park, and Meridian has been designated the future home of the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center — to be located at Bonita Lakes Park.

It is a resurgence reminiscent of that from the city’s humble beginnings. Propelled by the railroad industry, Meridian has been an unstoppable force — achieving new heights with each new decade.

Meridian’s history begins in 1831, one year after the Choctaw Indians agreed to vacate their territories in Mississippi under the terms of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. Virginia native Richard McLemore settled first in the area from which Meridian would unfold, offering free land to draw more people to the region. And with the linking of railroads to the area in 1855, Meridian’s future was secured.

During the early 1860s, Meridian was a small community of 15 families. New growth was spurred by the town’s strategic geographical location for railroads. During the Civil War, Meridian was the site of a confederate arsenal, military hospital, prisoner-of-war stockade and served as headquarters for a number of state offices.

In February 1864, Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman’s army destroyed the city’s railroads and much of the surround area. Sherman is credited with saying. “Meridian no longer exists.”



Golden times



In spite of this debacle, the railroad tracks were repaired in 26 working days and the city continued to grow. As timber, cotton and the rails used for transporting them brought good times back to Lauderdale County, Meridian entered its most progressive era — known as the Golden Age.

From 1890 to 1930, Meridian was the state’s largest city and a leader in manufacturing. During this time, much of the existing skyline was built. In 1890, The Grand Opera House of Mississippi opened it doors. The Threefoot Building, an art deco masterpiece, became Meridian’s tallest skyscraper and Meridian’s Carnegie Library, which now houses Meridian Museum of Art, was constructed.

The city has nine recognized historic districts and neighborhoods, including the state’s largest collection of historic buildings in its downtown district.

Meridian’s historic districts and neighborhoods include:



West End Historic District

Although its history can be traced from Meridian’s earliest days, the West End Historic District significance lies in its large collection of residences dating from 1890 to 1910. These residences are also complemented by buildings built prior to and after these dates, but this collection presents continuous streetscapes of historic buildings.

The period of significance for West End dates from 1870 to 1936, representing the rise of Meridian from its destruction during the Civil War to the position of Mississippi’s largest city.



Urban Center

Historic District

Established in 1979, the Meridian Urban Center Historic District corresponds closely with the fire district founded in 1872. At that time, 25th Avenue was the principal north-south axis, and the streets running parallel to the tracks (Front, Fourth and Fifth streets) were developing.

During the 1880s through the 1920s, Meridian was the state’s largest city. Commercial success built on railroading resulted in a large range of late 19th and early 20th century architectural styles, from Italianate row buildings to an Art Deco skyscraper.



East End Historic District

The significance of the East End Historic District lies in its large collection of late 19th and early 20th century Queen Anne/Colonial Revival cottages, representing Meridian’s “Golden Age.” Many of these cottages are of repetitive designs, creating interesting and picturesque streetscapes.



Midtown Historic District

The Midtown Historic District is a collection of architectural and historically important 20th century residences representing the houses of Meridian’s wealthy industrialists, professionals and merchants, as well as the working class. The homes are associated with Meridian’s rapid growth at the beginning of the century — when the city was the center of Mississippi’s railroad economy.



Merrehope Historic District

The Merrehope Historical District began developing after the Civil War, but was subdivided around 1853 by city founder John T. Ball. Following the Civil War, Meridian’s economy boomed through railroading, lumbering and textile enterprises. As Meridian began to grow northward, so did the need for housing. The housing development period for this district was late 1860 through 1940.



Poplar Springs

Historic District

The Poplar Springs Historic District is a collection of residences representing the prosperity of Meridian at the turn of the 20th century and pre-Depression era.

The district developed around Poplar Springs Road (later Drive), at the time a winding country road leading in the north of the city. Hundreds of shade trees were planted and contribute to the streetscape of the Poplar Springs Historic District.



Highlands Historic District

The Highlands Historic District was originally known as Missouri Ridge because Union soldiers, primarily from Missouri, camped there and were engaged in a skirmish during the Civil War.

With the advent of Meridian’s light rail streetcar system in 1883, the city began to grow northward. When the streetcar line reached this district, it provided transportation that allowed the area to develop.



Depot District

The Depot District is east of the Urban Center Historic District and consists of a four-block area.

In 1885, Meridian was the junction of five railroads, with three others considering coming into the city. From 1885 to 1905, this area was primarily residential, with a small industrial complex developing around the railroads.

Construction of the Union Station in 1905-06 led to the development of this area in business and industry.

Highland Park

The origins of Highland Park can be traced back to 1889, when the area was used as the Meridian Fair and Livestock Exposition.

In 1906, the Fair and Exposition Corporation dissolved and turned its property over to the newly formed Park Association, a non-profit corporation established to assemble property and develop initial plans for Highland Park.

The Meridian Light and Railway Company established a rail line from Eighth Street up 34th Avenue that turned west between 19th and 20th streets, then continued west into Highland Park. When Highland Park was designed, there was already a national trend for “streetcar” pleasure parks. Electric railway companies ventured into increasing their operations by owning or investing in such parks. Meridian Light and Railway followed the national trend, cooperating with the city to provide band concerts.

Meridian not only has produced architectural gems and historical districts and neighborhoods, it also has produced many talented people.

One of its most famous musicians is Jimmie Rodgers, known as the “Father of Country Music.” Reared in Meridian, the “Singing Brakeman” gained popularity during the late 1920s and early 1930s through his vocal and guitar music, which helped shape a new musical style. Sharecroppers and railroads influenced his songs of the poor man’s South, giving him a distinctive place in the music world.

Another of the city’s most famous residents is actress Sela Ward, who is widely known for her role as “Teddy” in the television series “Sisters,” for which she won the 1994 Emmy Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series. Ward’s most recent starring role was the hit drama, “Once and Again,” for which she earned a second Emmy.