There is something abrew. Actually, a thing, an event, pieces of history which will startle the calmest among us.

Calm is not my thing, but quickly I must say, I am always ready for history with-a-flair and we have it coming Saturday, February 24th in downtown Meridian, noon until 4pm.

Of course, it is The Meridian Downtown History Walk for the third year, actually.

Come, come and bring the kids and grandma, too. Yes, a family event, not to worry. Bring the young’uns.

Children will learn and have fun too, as the Rose Hill Storytellers mix the arts with documented history. Really all ages are grandly invited to a Meridian history inspired event presented throughout downtown Meridian.

Start at Dumont Plaza where you will pick up maps created by The City of Meridian and designed by The Rose Hill Storytellers. There are seventeen stops, each with storytellers dressed in period costume to tell a piece of Meridian documented history.

The route is basically a loop between The Meridian City Hall and the old Lauderdale County Courthouse. After one has the map in hand, then make your own route. Perhaps starting at Dumont Plaza, there are eight stories nearby. Five are located in Dumont and then an additional four across the street along the sidewalk.

Also there are two stories at the old Courthouse and allow me to say, “You will not want to miss them,” because Sheriff Ward Calhoun portrays his great-great-grandfather and Tom Fair portrays the sheriff who actually in 1926 hanged the last two men at the Lauderdale County Courthouse.

Then, oh my goodness, in addition, we have Mr. & Mrs. Dumont, Mrs. Weidmann, The Spirits from Union Hotel stories as well as the Burning of Meridian in 1864, presented by the Stage 2 students and of course the Gypsy story all included and also about the wagon which was their home and transportation, too. Plus Mr. Threefoot, the Buffalo Soldiers from WWI, the Welscher School history and those on-fire Meridian Founders, Mr. Ball & Mr. Ragsdale.

And stories from the Young Hotel. We’ve lost the hotel but the stories are still alive and we must tell them. They are presented by students from The Meridian Freedom Project.

Not to forget those Shackleford women, mother and daughter, who stir things up mightily.

Two new stories this year are Mrs. Elsie McWilliams and Shadow, the railroad dog. As you might know, Mrs. McWilliams was Jimmie Rodgers sister-in-law (and my grandmother’s cousin – grandma had a lot of cousins). Mrs. McWilliams, it was said, helped write some of the songs for Jimmie.

But Shadow, the Railroad Dog, now there’s a story. He lived on the tracks in the 1920s. And to make it even more interesting, a living-breathing dog will portray him next Saturday. Yes, Buddy, known locally as the Meridian Wonder Dog, will be there in person, doggy-style. Pet his head. He loves people, especially a crowd.

And the reason Meridian is even here, of course, is because in 1854 the Mobile & Ohio Rail Line decided to run tracks through this area then known as Sowashee Junction and brave young men arrived from all across the country to build the tracks. One was Mr. Walton Moore, Sr. We will hear his story.

Special thanks to the Debs Social Organization who will hand out maps.

So, there you have it, a sneak peek into the great event known as Meridian Downtown History Walk. Please come to see history in action and perhaps create new history to be remembered for many years.

What: Meridian Downtown History Walk (start at Dumont Plaza to pick up maps).

When: Saturday, February 24, 2024 – Noon to 4pm

Cost: Free and presented by the Rose Hill Storytellers.

Anne McKee is a Mississippi-inspired storyteller and Director of The Rose Hill Storytellers.