LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Many Madison County residents are finding themselves under the threat of encroachment by incompatible buildings and land uses along a portion of scenic Highways 463 and 22 near Flora.
In 2013, this area of Madison County, between the historic town of Canton and the Mississippi Petrified Forest (one of only two petrified forests in the eastern U. S.), was designated a “Gateway to History Scenic Byway” by former Governor Phil Bryant.
As described by the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s website (MDOT), “The Mississippi Scenic Byways Program is a grassroots effort designed to increase the focus on Mississippi’s history and intrinsic resources. The intent of this program is to identify and designate highway, road and street corridors as scenic byways in an attempt to preserve, enhance and protect the state’s intrinsic resources for visitors and residents of the state.”
Seeing that the Highway 463 and 22 corridor was a perfect candidate for this designation, a group of local preservationists and historians, led by Phyllis Doby, Rita McGuffie, and other county residents and business owners, formed the Corridor Advisory Group, which worked strenuously to have the corridor designated a “Scenic Byway.”
“It is an extremely stringent process to be designated as a Scenic Byway,” explained Doby. “Our committee worked for over a year to make the case that our historic resources deserve this special designation.” The advisory group worked alongside MDOT, Senator Will Longwitz of Madison, Mayor Hawkins-Butler of Madison, Mayor Truly of Canton and Mayor Childress of Flora, to have the 32-mile stretch of rural county roads officially given this designated by the state.
Artifacts from the past have been unearthed near the Byway, such as Native American arrowheads, belt-buckles from the American Civil War, cannonballs from the Confederate States Army, and more recently a Choctaw Indian Metate mealing stone.
With the Byway’s rich history, it is natural to assume that care would be given by county officials to protect the identity of the area for residents and visitors. But this is not the case. Instead of encouraging architecture and building standards that are in harmony with their surroundings, Madison County officials are allowing the efforts to preserve the quality of this unique Byway and neighboring routes to slowly be dismantled.
For example, in spring of 2023, a proposal went before the Madison County Board of Supervisors (“BOS”) to build a convenience store at the entrance of the Lake Caroline subdivision at Stribling Road, which was overwhelmingly opposed by Lake Caroline residents. Numerous questions regarding zoning designations of the building and property were largely ignored by the BOS, as was much of the opposition and controversy. However, after legal counsel was sought and further questions and demands were made, the proposal was withdrawn by the developer, Lake Caroline, Inc.
Also in the summer of 2023, a proposal went before Madison County officials to build an Assisted Living Facility at the Livingston Township, located on the Byway. The proposed structure was a stark contrast to the unique 1830s-style of buildings, which replicate the original County Seat, once located at Livingston. Overnight residency has never been permitted in the historic district by either the BOS or the Mannsdale-Livingston Heritage Preservation District, and the proposal was denied by the latter, but approved by the county’s Planning & Zoning Ordinance.
Residents and business owners near the Township overwhelmingly opposed the proposed facility, as hundreds of petitions against it were signed and submitted to the BOS. Public Hearings followed, as controversy dragged on for months. However, once legal counsel was sought and demands were made, the proposal was withdrawn - to the relief of many.
Most recently, the BOS approved a proposal to build a Shell Station outside of Flora near the intersections of the Byway (Hwy. 22), Stokes, Livingston-Vernon, and Cedar Hill Roads. Residents near the community have long voiced their concerns over any business opening at this location, as numerous automobile accidents have occurred at this intersection - one of which ended in a fatality.
An appeal was made to stop the construction of the Shell Station by neighbors from the surrounding areas, as well as members of the nearby Damascus Baptist Church. Additionally, a petition signed by over 200 area-residents opposing it was submitted to the BOS. The BOS then tabled the development for an implied two years, only to slip it back on the agenda three months later without bothering to properly notify the neighboring community. A bright neon-yellow Shell Station now appears to be on full track for construction on the scenic outskirts of Flora.
We are indeed blessed to have such natural beauty and remnants of days-gone-by in this part of Madison County, with the steps in place to protect them. However, it is essential that county residents be vigilant about upcoming building proposals, to let their voices be heard at public hearings and through the ballot box, and to fight to preserve the integrity and resources of this historic area.
Greta B. Mills