Mardi Gras: Meridian: The Old, The Newly Restored

Meridian: The Old, The Newly Restored

Meridian's history begins in 1831, one year after the Choctaw Indians agreed to vacate their territories in Mississippi under the terms of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. Richard McLemore of Virginia settled first in the area from which Meridian would grow. He offered free land to draw more people into the region. When the railroads linked to the area in 1855, Meridian's future was secured.During the early 1860s, Meridian was a small community of 15 families. New growth was spurred by the town's strategic geographical location for railroads. During the Civil War, Meridian was the site of a confederate arsenal, military hospital, prisoner-of -war stockade and headquarters for a number of state offices. In February 1864, General William Tecumseh Sherman's army destroyed the city's railroads and much of the surrounding area . Sherman is credited with saying, " Meridian no longer exists."Despite this, the railroad tracks were repaired in 26 working days and the city continued to grow. As timber, cotton and the rails used for transporting them brought good times back to Lauderdale County, Meridian entered its most progressive era, known as the Golden Age. From 1890 until 1930, Meridian was the state's largest city and a leader in manufacturing. During this time, much of the existing skyline was built. The Grand Opera House opened its doors in 1890. The Threefoot Building, an art deco masterpiece, became Meridian's tallest skyscraper and Meridian's Carnegie Library, which now houses the Museum of Art, was constructed. Today, many of Meridian's historic neighborhoods feature fine homes and buildings typical of their eras.The city has nine recognized historic districts and neighborhoods, including the largest collection of historic buildings in its downtown district in the state. Not only has Meridian produced architectural gems, it has produced many talented people. One of the most famous is Jimmie Rodgers, known as the "Father of Country Music." Born in Meridian, the "Singing Brakeman" gained popularity during the late 1920s and early 1930s through his vocal and guitar music which helped shape a new musical style. Sharecroppers and railroads influenced his songs of the poor man's South, giving him a distinctive place in the music world. One of Meridian's most famous entertainers today is Sela Ward, who entertained us in the television series "Sisters," for which she won the 1994 Emmy Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series, and who currently stars in CSI:NY

1900-The long stretch of 22nd Avenue featured three department stores. To the left were the Dumont Department Store and the Marks-Rothenberg Department Store.To the right was Winner and Kline Department Store. Also to the right, Weidmann's Restaurant, still in operation. In the center of the photograph is the Threefoot Brothers Wholesale Company, the present location of the Threefoot Building.

1885-City Hall & Market Building

1900-At the turn of the century, Front Street was a dirt road and the first Union Passenger Depot had not been built. This stretch is Front Street, between 26th and 27th Avenues. On the left is a white picket fence encircling a private residence, where a pig has wandered out into the street. In the middle ground is a steam-powered tractor, which were common at the time. In the hazy distance is the site where the first depot would be built.

1904-Farmers are shown delivering locally grown corn at the Queen and Crescent Freight Depot. At the Armour Packing Company, right, meat was smoked, packed and shipped to destinations all over the southeastern United States.

1904-This photograph shows Fifth Street, looking east. On the near right is the Rosenbaum Building, which is currently being converted intocondominiums. Farther down the block is the Arky Building, currently the site of Dumont Plaza. On the left are the Great Southern Hotel and First National Bank. The city was served by electric street cars.

The photograph shows the damage to Union Station Passenger Depot on Front Street after a tornado leveled much of downtown Meridian in March 1906. Martial law was declared, and the man standing with a shovel to the left is a Doughboy solider sent in to help with the clean-up.

1906-This photograph shows storm damage at the intersection of 22nd Avenue and Front Street after a tornado leveled much of downtown Meridian in March 1906. The people of San Francisco sent money and supplies to Meridian to help out in the emergency. The people of Meridian returned the favor the next month,
in April, when San Francisco was rocked by a huge earthquake.

1906-A spring tornado in 1906 killed as many as 50 people. The Baum Building's distinctive Mansard roof was completely ripped away; it was replaced with a flat roof when rebuilding efforts got under way.

1917-The oddly-shaped intersection at Sixth and Eighth streets is the home of the Miazza-Woods "Flatiron" Building. The vee-shaped structure was patterned after the Flatiron Building on 23rd Street in New York City, where girl watchers gathered and waited for the unusual winds around the building to tug at skirts. Police walking the beat would warn them to "23-Skidoo" from the area. Behind the Flatiron Building to the left are Threefoot Brothers Wholesale and the Saenger Movie Theatre.

1920's-Children are shown outside Oakland Heights School located then, as it is now, on 59th Avenue. In 1900, there were 119 schools in Lauderdale County. After consolidation efforts, the number of schools dropped to 35 in the 1920s and education standards improved.

Rosenbaum insurance. The man in the photo is facing the site where the Temple Theatre would be built in the mid-1920s. Behind him was the Standard Club.

In the late 1950s, Meridian celebrated the opening of the James Melton Bridge, named for a local politician and businessman.The bridge quickly came to be called the 22nd Avenue Bridge. The bridge was needed to circumvent train tracks that ran through the center of town, often stopping traffic on 22nd Avenue. This opening day parade photograph was taken on the bridge, looking north. To the left is Meridian Hardware. The tall building in the background is the Threefoot Building.

For children, the Temple Theatre was the place to be on Saturday. It was not uncommon for lines of children waiting to see the latest western to wrap all the way around the block. On this particular Saturday,
"Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" and "The Three Stooges" were on the bill. The Temple Theatre is located on the corner of Eighth Street and 24th Avenue.

This fire broke out on Front Street about 10 a.m. on March 8, 1964. It began at Rice Pappenheimer Furniture Company, but eventually consumed six other businesses as well: L.H. Conard Furniture, Corr-Williams Tobacco Company, Rhodes Furniture Warehouse Annex., Merrill Paint and Hardware, Frank Tank Discount Store and
Saxton Used Furniture Store. The Meridian Fire Department was joined by firefighters from NAS Meridian, the 186th Tactical Reconnaissance Group and volunteer stations. The final damage was estimated at $2 million.

This 1956 view, taken from the top of the Threefoot Building, shows 22nd Avenue looking south. Before the construction of the James Melton Bridge, trains rolled through the downtown shopping area. Behind the train, to the right, is the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad Freight Terminal. Plans were under way to renovate the building for use as a railroad museum when it burned in 1995.

1885-City Hall & Market Building

1905-Lauderdale County Courthouse

1907-Lauderdale County Jail

1907-Federal Building 8th Street & 22nd Avenue.
In the 1930s it was used as a Post Office

Trolley going down Sixth street by the Miazza-Woods "Flatiron" Building.

Fifth Street & 24th Avenue looking east

1935-Smith's Bakery proudly displaying the bakery & delivery crew.

1928-Hardin's Bakery on the corner of Fifth Street & 30th Avenue,
later became Hosiery Mills

1937-Brookshire's Ice Cream Parlor, where McDonald's is
now at corner Hwy 19 and 11 South.

1953-Brookshire's Ice Cream

1905- New Orleans and Northeastern Roundhouse

Trolley lines on Eighth Street. Left car destination,
Asylum/College and right car, Cotton Mill.

Meridian depot on Front Street.

First Christian (Disciples of Christ) church under construction.
The natural stone was obtained locally.
First Christian is located at 1301 23rd Avenue.