The Queen City has traveled many a road during its long history, and the Feb. 22 Meridian Downtown History Walk offers a way to learn more about that trip. From noon to 4 p.m. that Saturday, participants can follow tour maps to learn about the people and events encompassing all things Meridian. There will be reenactors to whet your history whistle with tales from past residents, seemingly in the flesh.

 

The Meridian Downtown History Walk provides self-guided insight into the places, people and events that shaped Meridian. And Meridian has a story to tell:

 

• Back in the day, the treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek in 1830 with the Choctaw led new settler Richard McLemore giving away land to coax others to settle there.
• In 1855, railways were laid just to be destroyed during Sherman’s march in the Civil War, but the rails were defiantly rebuilt in just 26 days. Meridian wasn’t going down that easily.
• The Golden Age of Meridian from 1890 to 1930 saw elaborate buildings go up, including the current Meridian Museum of Art, which first stemmed from the 1912 construction of Meridian’s Carnegie Library.
• The Grand Opera House went up in 1890 adjacent to the Marks-Rothenberg Department Store. It now houses the MSU Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts.
• Threefoot Building, the city’s tallest skyscraper, now houses The Threefoot Hotel, offering panoramic views from its rooftop bar.
• A 1906 tornado killed 50 and the great fire of 1964 destroyed seven businesses to the tune of $2 million of 1960’s dollars.

 

“It’s a chance for residents to rediscover the hidden gems in their own backyard and for visitors to experience the unique charm of our city,” said Downtown Meridian’s director, Matt Schanrock. “We think it’s especially meaningful as we just celebrated Meridian’s 165th birthday Feb. 10.

 

“[We say ]thank you to Mrs. Ann McKee and her team for putting on the downtown history walk.”

 

McKee has been involved with the history walk since its inception having first begun the living history format through the Rose Hill Cemetery Costumed Tour. The tour, which marked its 16th year in 2024, brings to life influential Meridianites who are buried at the historic cemetery.

 

The official downtown area came about in 2005, according to Meridian’s city website. The city council approved a later amendment to the Code of Ordinances to consolidate and expand the Urban Center District with the Union Station District. This single, contiguous and larger district was then named the Meridiian Downtown Historic District. It runs from the railroad tracks north to Sixth Street between 18th Avenue and 26th Avenue, excluding Ragsdale Survey Block 71.

 

Attendees can pick up maps at Dumont Plaza for the 15-stop free self-guided tour that features documented stories about Meridian’s history through the Rose Hill Storytellers.