Ridgeland in Madison County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Early Commerce and Trade
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Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 25, 2024
1. Early Commerce and Trade Marker
The Village of Ridgeland, now known as Old Town, was clustered around the Illinois Central Railroad. Before the village was chartered there was a train depot and hotel. One of the first industries was the Ridgeland Wagon Works, established in 1901 by Zimri Long and George Kirker, former carpenters for a large carriage manufacturer in Cincinnati. They offered a full supply of farm equipment in addition to carriages and wagons.
On May 1, 1902, tragedy struck the business district when a fire, which started in the back room of J.D. Devilling's drug store, quickly spread and left an entire block in ashes within two hours.
The Ridgeland Canning Company opened in May 1908. The first fruit canned EN was strawberries from the farm of James Brownlow Yellowley. Other early businesses included a gin and supply company, Ridgeland Milling and Manufacturing and Adcock's Grocery and Grist Mill. There was also a sawmill and a butcher shop owned and operated by Jack Carr.
Many of these early businessmen and their descendants later served Ridgeland as elected officials.
Erected 2024 by the City of Ridgeland.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is May 1, 1902.
Location. 32° 25.727′ N, 90° 7.968′ W. Marker is in Ridgeland, Mississippi, in Madison County. It is at the intersection of North Wheatley Street and West Jackson Street, on the left when traveling south on North Wheatley Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 N Wheatley St, Ridgeland MS 39157, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Natchez Trace Corridor and in Greater Jackson. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ridgeland (within shouting distance of this marker); Ridgeland and the Railroad (within shouting
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 25, 2024
2. Early Commerce and Trade Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 128 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 27, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
