Meridian, Mississippi is located in an area that was once occupied by Choctaw Indians. The Choctaws agreed to vacate their lands in 1830 in accordance with the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. Shortly after the Choctaws’ departure, Richard McLemore arrived from Virginia, offering free land to settlers who would move into the area.

By the year 1854, two railroads intersected there, putting the little settlement in an enviable position as a rail junction. The community was named Sowashee Station, after the Sowashee Creek which flowed nearby. In 1860 it was incorporated as Meridian. The little town had less than twenty families living there.

In April of 1861 the Civil War started. The little town’s status as a railroad junction made it important to the war effort. It was the site of a Confederate arsenal, military hospital and a prisoner of war camp. During the Vicksburg Campaign Union forces captured Vicksburg after a lengthy siege. They then so completely burned Jackson, Mississippi that it was referred to as Chimneyville, because the chimneys were all that was left standing of most homes and buildings. Union forces then turned toward Meridian in February of 1864. In Meridian they destroyed the railroads and set fire to the little town, destroying most of it and surrounding farms. Following his action at Meridian, Sherman is reputed to have said, “Meridian no longer exists.”

In an astonishing twenty-six days following Sherman’s departure, the dedicated people of Meridian repaired the railroads and had them in good operating order!

Following the Civil War, Meridian entered into an era of prosperity and manufacturing facilities moved into the area. Between 1890 and 1930, it was the biggest city in Mississippi. Much of Meridian’s skyline was built during this time.

In March of 1906 a tornado leveled much of downtown Meridian. Residents of San Francisco, California sent aid to Meridian. The following month, Meridian sent aid to the citizens of San Francisco to assist in their recovery of the most destructive earthquake in US history.

Things to See and Do in Meridian

Visit the Causeyville Store for a step back in time in what was once a local store, started in the1890s and is today a location on the National Historic Register.

Visit Highland Park which contains a Dentzel carousel manufactured about 1895 and the Jimmie Rodgers Museum.

For outdoor activities try Lake Okatibbee for fishing, camping, hiking, water skiing and swimming.