MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Hall, Frazier, Johnson (19th), Horhn

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF RIDGELAND UPON THEIR CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.

WHEREAS, the City of Ridgeland, Mississippi, was incorporated as a village on December 29, 1899, when a petition was presented by P.L. Porter, the first Mayor of Ridgeland, to Governor A.J. McLaurin, describing a town of some 150 people, business firms, a post office and a hotel; and

WHEREAS, this year's Centennial Celebration provides a period to reflect on the considerable growth of the community, building on the foundations laid by the town's predecessors; and

WHEREAS, in 1896, Nichols and Reakle, Chicago Realtors, purchased the original site to form the Highland Colony Company which was one square mile in area located on the highest elevation of the Illinois Central Railroad; building sites for Ridgeland were surveyed and platted in the chancery clerk's office by Edward Treakle and Gorton Nichols, land sold for $35.00 an acre, a fine three-story hotel was completed and the first school was established in the town hall; and

WHEREAS, in 1961, with a census of only 875 people, the comprehensive plan for Madison County and the Municipalities of Canton, Madison, Flora and Ridgeland cited that Ridgeland was expected to grow more than any other area in the county in the next 20 years; and

WHEREAS, in 1970, Ridgeland was designated a city and embarked on a period of ambitious growth: in 1984 Northpark Mall opened, in 1994 Highland Colony Parkway construction commenced, and in 1997 The Strategic Plan for the City of Ridgeland was adopted; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the Centennial Celebration of the City of Ridgeland, which is promised unimaginable opportunities and challenges in the next century:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Ridgeland upon the occasion of their Centennial Celebration and wish the citizens of Ridgeland continued success in the next century.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Mayor Gene McGee, City Clerk Mike McPhearson and to members of the Board of Aldermen, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.