Ridgeland unveils first historical marker on city’s new History Trail
RIDGELAND — City and state officials unveiled the first in a series of historical markers slated here at a ceremony on Wednesday at City Hall.
The Ridgeland Historical Society, the Historical Committee, City officials, and staff hosted the special event on Oct. 25 to highlight and celebrate Ridgeland’s history.
“During the early years,” a statement from the city reads, “Ridgeland was a headquarters in war, a haven in peace, and a center for trade and travel with a long and rich history of those who first settled in the area. Telling Ridgeland’s Story was the theme of the event as the team honored several of Ridgeland’s first families and unveiled the first of many History Trail markers.”
The program included special guest, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann; remarks from Mayor Gene F. McGee and Chris Chapman of Visit Ridgeland; presentations by Nancy Batson and Jim Woodrick of the Historical Society; special recognition for the descendants of a number of the first families, and the unveiling and ribbon cutting of the first marker on the Ridgeland History Trail located at City Hall.
The new marker gives a brief overview of Ridgeland’s history. It also highlights the tenure of Mayors Pardon L. Porter and Zimri Long.
Porter was the municipality’s first mayor who served the city from 1827 to 1908. The marker features a newspaper clipping describing his nine-mile walk from Ridgeland to Jackson on his eightieth birthday.
During his remarks, Woodrick said this illustrated Ridgeland’s long history of physically active officials.
Long served from 1927 to 1929 and took the first steps of modernization by contracting with the Mississippi Power and Light Company to bring electricity to the then-village.
Following the unveiling of the marker, Alderman-at-Large D.I. Smith said it was an “awesome day” and that he was proud of the work the Ridgeland Historical Society and Historical Committee had put into the marker.
Smith said he remembers campaigning in preparation for the 2017 municipal election when he knocked on a door in Trace Village. Woodrick answered the door and Smith said the two men talked on his porch for close to two hours.
During their conversation, Woodrick described a vision for documenting Ridgeland's history. Smith said the Historical Society and Commission had been discussing such a project for some time he put them in touch with Woodrich.
“This is something they had been talking about but we needed someone who knew how to do it,” Smith said.
The Historical Society of Ridgeland, with assistance from the Ridgeland Tourism Commission and city staff, has collaborated on the development of the Ridgeland History Trail. The History Trail will consist of interpretive wayside exhibits highlighting the culture and history of Ridgeland. It will utilize the existing multi-use recreational trail system, as well as additional off-trail sites. Once completed, there will be 25 sign locations based in part on the Ridgeland History Map and Guide.
Funding for the History Trail comes from a sponsorship by the Ridgeland Tourism Commission. Once the project is complete, it is hoped that additional signs will be placed by private sponsors and incorporated into the existing History Trail.
Applications for additional waysides will be approved by the City.
The 2023 First Families of Ridgeland Exhibit is a new addition to the History Room that was established when the new City Hall was opened in 2021.
“The past is a significant part of what makes the community what it is today,’ the city’s statement read.
This room, located on the left side of the main entrance, contains artifacts, photos, and written histories of the area.
“This exhibit is just the beginning,” the statement continues. “We are hopeful more families will add their stories in the future.”
The families included in the First Families of Ridgeland 2023 Exhibit are as follows:
• The Harris, Cummings & Gilbert Families
• The Blough, Stewart, Henderson, & Jenkins Families
• Families occupying the Clifton Ash Plantation now named Hillview - Murrell, Clifton, Ash, Tucker, Vaughn, and Richardson
• The Carr Family
• The Ridgeway & Butler Families
• The Coziar Family
• The Sturdivant Family
“Ridgeland was incorporated as a village on December 29, 1899, after the first families settled in the area,” McGee said. “These families are important to our history, and they have left us with a heritage we can be proud of. We honor those who have made Ridgeland a special place to live and work, and we believe that a vital part of being a community is remembering our heritage and being thankful for those who took the time to plan for the future of our great City.”