Highways And Byways

Highways And Byways. . , U.S. Highway 51, which runs through Ridgeland, was one of the original roads in the numbered U.S. highway system established in 1926. The highway originally ran west of and adjacent to the railroad tracks until it was relocated to its present location in 1933. The relocation was opposed by citizens and town leaders since Highway 51 served as the town's commercial corridor and they feared that many businesses would move to the new highway location. In time, businesses did locate along the new highway, including Henderson's Garage, which opened in 1936. Henderson's Garage was long known as the travelers' last stop for gas before entering the Natchez Trace Parkway. , As a part of the Federal Highway Act, construction of Interstate 55 between Jackson and Canton began in 1960. The project was completed in three years and a ribbon cutting was held on July 25, 1963, near the current Madison interchange. Ridgeland Mayor Marcus Boyle Ridgeway was among the dignitaries that attended the ceremony. , [Inset] , In the early 1950s, a number of nightclubs opened in Ridgeland along Highway 51. As they were known to sell illegal liquor, a group of citizens waged a campaign to close the establishments. In 1954, two of the nightclubs completely burned, and a third mysteriously caught fire on April 12, 1955. Although arson was suspected, no one was ever charged. According to former City Clerk Marcella Cannon, all three were heavily insured by Lloyd's of London.