Ridgeland in Madison County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
The Reservoir
| | Ridgeland History Trail | |
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 26, 2024
1. The Reservoir Marker
Construction of the Ross Barnett Reservoir began in 1960 under the direction of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District. Although the Army Corps of Engineers had studied flooding in the area since the 1930s, the main purpose of the reservoir project was to create a permanent source of drinking water for the City of Jackson and to provide recreational and economic development opportunities for Madison and Rankin counties. Construction of the spillway was completed in 1962 and the reservoir was dedicated on May 30, 1965. The 33,000-acre lake is one of the state's largest lakes, with 105 miles of shoreline.
[Inset]
In 1962, during construction of the dam, the skeleton of a "huge prehistoric monster" was unearthed near Pelahatchie Creek. Examined by geologists, the fossil was identified as a Basilosaurus.
Erected 2024 by the City of Ridgeland. (Marker Number 14.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is May 30, 1965.
Location. 32° 25.472′ N, 90° 4.812′ W. Marker is in Ridgeland, Mississippi, in Madison County. It can be reached from Post Road east of Madison Landing Circle, on the right when traveling east. Located next to flag pole, at
this page online
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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Trace (approx. half a mile away); Mississippi Craft Center (approx. 0.6 miles away); Brashears Stand (approx. 0.9 miles away); Civil War (approx. 1½ miles away); World War II Airfield Hangars (approx. 2 miles away); Boyd Site (approx. 2.1 miles away); Strawberry Patch House (approx. 2.2 miles away); Jessamine Cemetery (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ridgeland.
Also see . . . 60-foot whale at Barnett Reservoir [Clarion Ledger]. (Submitted on October 28, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 26, 2024
2. The Reservoir Marker at the Ross R Barnett Reservoir.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 26, 2024
3. Marker & Barnett Reservoir
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 326 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 28, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
