House Resolution 110

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE RICH AND HISTORICAL LEGACY OF THE CITY OF RIDGELAND, MISSISSIPPI, AND CONGRATULATING THE CITY UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS QUASQUICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY, ACKNOWLEDGING 125 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE.

WHEREAS, chartered as a village on December 29, 1899, the City of Ridgeland will celebrate its Quasquicentennial Anniversary in commemorative fashion on December 29, 2024, acknowledging 125 years of rich and historical excellence, as a headquarters in war, a haven in peace, a center for trade and travel, and today as a vibrant destination with inviting history at every turn; and

WHEREAS, in 1805, the populous Madison County suburb of Ridgeland, was home to the Choctaw Indian Agency, headed by Silas Dinsmoor, and then referred to "Turner Brashear's Stand" until about 1850, when it was adapted for use as a hotel named the King's Inn, which was used as General Stephen Lee headquarters during the American Civil War, and continual operation thereafter, as a hotel until 1896, when it was destroyed by fire; and

WHEREAS, first settled in 1832, when William Austin purchased land in the area near the Natchez Trace, James Yellowley would buy the property in 1853 and established it as plantation known as Yellowley's Crossing before later changing the name to "Jessamine," after his wife; and

WHEREAS, in 1896, Yellowley's son sold the property to Gordon Nichols and Edward Treakle, real estate developers from Chicago, who formed the Highland Colony Company and changed the name to Ridgeland, launching a robust advertising campaign to entice people from the northern United States to move South; and

WHEREAS, owing much of its early growth to the coming of the cities of New Orleans and Jackson, and the Great Northern Railroad, which boosted the area's produce and farming operations, Ridgeland was a community that thrived on the agrarian way of life as its primary source of revenue, with pears and strawberries serving as the village's cash crops; and

WHEREAS, with P.L. Porter being appointed by Governor Anselm J. McLaurin as the village's first mayor on January 1, 1900, Ridgeland was on pace as a growing community with a bustling business district, which, unfortunately, was almost shattered after a May 1, 1902, fire, consumed an entire block, destroying the town's business district in its wake, but the village's undaunted zeal to persevere did not allow the near catastrophe to hinder it's growth; and

WHEREAS, during the early portion of the 20th century, Ridgeland was home to a hotel, sawmill and a canning company, with its main business section of being situated along Jackson Street, due to the Illinois Central Railroad location, and in less than 50 years after its initial chartering, Ridgeland incorporated as a town in 1947, the same year construction of the Natchez Trace Parkway began, before ultimately receiving its city's designation in 1975, due to years of consistent growth, both in business and exponential population increases; and

WHEREAS, recognized in the South for fine dining and shopping, high-quality education, recycling, miles of bike trails, outdoor recreational facilities, canopy roads and natural landscapes, and attractions like the picturesque Natchez Trace Parkway and the tranquil waters of 33,000-acre Ross Barnett Reservoir, Ridgeland's 2008 Master Plan provides the blueprint for continued growth while maintaining a small-town atmosphere, which have positioned the city to receive awards for being the Healthiest Hometown in Mississippi, a Bicycle Friendly Community, a Tree City USA, a Google eCity and one of the 100 Best Places to Live by MONEY magazine; and

WHEREAS, home to some of America's top employers and numerous corporate headquarters, including C Spire Wireless and Cal-Maine Foods, Ridgeland has continued to evolve with quality of life in mind at the center of its development, with commercial areas surrounded by residential development, exceptional amenities and conveniences; and

WHEREAS, in celebrating its 125th anniversary, the City of Ridgeland, under the leadership of Mayor Gene F. McGee, and Aldermen D.I. Smith, Chuck Gautier, Wesley Hamlin, Ken Heard, Kevin Holder, Bill Lee and Brian Ramsey, will introduce a Virtual History Room on the city's website that will mirror the physical History Room located at City Hall, showcasing historical archives of Ridgeland's first families, a share your story component, and special events unveiling 20 additional history trail markers complete with interpretive wayside exhibits highlighting the culture and history of Ridgeland; and

WHEREAS, encompassing an area of 28.1 square miles today, the city's population of 24,340 residents, according to the 2020 Federal Decennial Census, Ridgeland's history is embodied in an immersive cultural experience rooted in transparency, by drawing upon the lessons and growing pains of its former experiences, to emerge like a phoenix from the ashes with a clean, energetic and invigorated spirit of hope and inclusiveness to enhance the quality of life and inspire dreams of great success for every citizen and visitor for generations to come; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to pay tribute to a municipality such as the City of Ridgeland, which is a place where the quality of life is still important and where its small town values stand as a role model throughout the great State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the rich and historical legacy of the City of Ridgeland, Mississippi, congratulate the city upon the occasion of its Quasquicentennial Anniversary, acknowledging 125 years of excellence, and wish it continued success in all its future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the City of Ridgeland's Mayor and Aldermen and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.