House Resolution 105

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE TOWN OF FLORENCE ON ITS CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY, CELEBRATING 100 YEARS AS AN INCORPORATED MUNICIPALITY IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI SINCE MAY 30, 1905.

WHEREAS, incorporated as a township on May 30, 1905, the Town of Florence, Mississippi, will celebrate its 100th Anniversary in June 2005; and

WHEREAS, in the early 1820s the Steen family of South Carolina began a journey to settle in the new State of Mississippi, arriving and settling in Rankin County near the present site of Florence, and since they were the first settlers the community became known as Steen's Creek; and

WHEREAS, by 1900 Steen's Creek had become a thriving cotton center with several stores, a blacksmith shop, a grist mill, a steam cotton gin and a hotel; and

WHEREAS, in that same year the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad built a line from Jackson to Gulfport and decided to run the tracks through Steen's Creek; it was at this point that W. Ellis, Sr., son of Sam Ellis, took advantage of the opportunity to change the name of the town; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Ellis propositioned the railroad, offering to donate the land on which the depot would be built, contingent upon the railroad's naming the depot after his wife, Florence; and

WHEREAS, the first train came through Florence on July 4, 1900, and subsequently brought more people and more industry to Florence, and on May 30, 1905, the town became incorporated as a municipality and had a population of approximately 600 people; and

WHEREAS, in 1979, the town built and opened the first Town Hall, and as the City of Florence moved toward the year 2000, it had grown to consist of many new businesses and other public facilities, including a post office, library, health center, three public schools and also an institution of higher education at Wesley College; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the heritage and history of the state's villages, towns, cities and counties, such as Florence, Mississippi, whose abundance of riches have contributed to the unique and valuable qualities that make the State of Mississippi unquestionably the greatest state in the nation:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the Town of Florence, Mississippi, on the occasion of its Centennial Anniversary Celebration and extend our heartiest wishes for its continued success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Mayor of Florence and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.