MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Huggins

A RESOLUTION TO COMMEND THE CITY OF NORTH CARROLLTON, MISSISSIPPI, UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.

WHEREAS, North Carrollton, Mississippi, originally was a community called Rathbone which sprang up around a railroad laid by Georgia Pacific in the 1880's; and

WHEREAS, a small railroad town when it was created a century ago, North Carrollton is located across the bridge from Carrollton, a town which was started in 1834, and which was located uphill of the creek; and

WHEREAS, the track was laid and the Columbus & Greenville Railroad decided to build its depot in the flatlands a mile north of Carrollton; and

WHEREAS, at one time several passenger trains passed through daily, and freight trains still run through North Carrollton each day; and

WHEREAS, in the earlier part of this century, North Carrollton was also known as a center for horse and mule trading; and

WHEREAS, by the time it was incorporated, the population of North Carrollton numbered 150 inhabitants, according to the original residents' petition for incorporation to the Governor; and

WHEREAS, North Carrollton was officially incorporated on March 31, 1899; and

WHEREAS, North Carrollton has seen many changes over the course of this century: the pioneering Billups Petroleum Company got its start there; the CCC had a camp at North Carrollton; the town once had a one-room schoolhouse; and fine dining was available at the Dean Hotel; and

WHEREAS, although the train whistles are less frequent and the stores, gins, oil mill, hotel and livery stables that rose and thrived in the early decades are all gone, the quiet little town of nearly 600 residents didn't suffer the same fate as some communities from the loss of the passenger trains; shops and banks still line its business district and churches and schools remain an integral part of a vital community; and

WHEREAS, there is no longer much resemblance to the original town, with its muddy dirt road through the business district which had an artisan well in the middle with troughs for watering mules and horses; and

WHEREAS, a biracial committee was appointed to prepare for this momentous occasion; and

WHEREAS, the anniversary will be observed on Saturday, April 3rd, in order to be as inclusive as possible and allow as many of North Carrollton's citizens and friends to attend as possible; and

WHEREAS, many activities are planned by the committee overseeing the centennial celebration; and

WHEREAS, the 100th birthday party will begin with a parade at 10:00 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 11:00 a.m. and a street festival, which will close at 4:00 p.m.; and

WHEREAS, merchants, churches and citizens are sprucing up the town for the big day and preparing for special sidewalk sales, bake sales and other food sales, along with refreshments provided by the town and various entertainment acts; and

WHEREAS, elementary school-aged children will participate in a mass balloon release, and every single citizen of North Carrollton who is 80 or more years of age has been specially invited to ride in the parade; and

WHEREAS, despite the changes of the past 100 years, North Carrollton still bustles with activity; and

WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Mississippi State Senate to congratulate the Town of North Carrollton on the occasion of its 100th anniversary:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, That we do hereby congratulate the Town of North Carrollton as it commemorates its 100th anniversary and extend our best wishes for the success of the centennial celebration as we look forward with great expectations to the achievements to be attained by North Carrollton in the next century of its existence.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Mayor Sarah Grantham.