Explore Ridgeland's History: Must-See Spots on Ridgeland's History Trail

The Ridgeland History Trail combines the city’s existing recreational trails with a rich cultural experience. With 22 interpretive wayside exhibits, the trail highlights Ridgeland’s diverse and unique history. Some markers are even located off-trail, inviting you to uncover hidden gems throughout the area.

As you explore, you’ll encounter stories like “The Pecan Tree – Our City Tree” and “Ridgeland’s Native American Heritage.” Whether you’re a visitor or a local, this trail offers a chance to connect with the community’s remarkable legacy.

Marker #1, Ridgeland City Hall – Begin your exploration at City Hall, where you’ll find Marker 1. Here, you can pick up a trail map and visit the History Room, a great place to get an overview of Ridgeland’s past before stepping onto the trail. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, bring your curiosity, and don’t forget your phone to capture photos at each marker along the way!

Marker #2, Natchez Trace Parkway - A key stop on the trail, Marker 2 commemorates the Natchez Trace Parkway, a scenic byway stretching 444 miles from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee. This historic trade and travel route has played a significant role in shaping the region.

Marker #3, Highland Colony Company - At Marker 3, step back to 1896, when two Chicago investors, Edward M. Treakle and Gorton W. Nichols, purchased land from James B. Yellowley, a North Carolina native who had moved to Madison County in 1853. By 1900, Nichols, along with R.H. Thompson and W.H. Shergold, established the Highland Colony Company, actively marketing the land to settlers from the Midwest. If you’re standing at Marker 3, you’re standing at the 1896 location of the Highland Colony Company’s office and hotel, a pivotal site in Ridgeland’s early development.

Marker #4, Ridgeland and The Railroad - Like many communities, Ridgeland’s early growth was driven by the railroad. The presence of an existing railway played a crucial role in influencing Edward Treakle and Gorton Nichols of the Highland Colony Company to develop the fertile farmland that would eventually become the Village of Ridgeland. Many of the city's first families arrived by passenger train, while freight trains transported locally grown fruits and vegetables to markets as far away as Chicago.

Marker #5, Early Commerce and Trade - Marker 4 is located in Ridgeland’s historic Railroad District, a hub of early commerce and transportation. Before the Village of Ridgeland was officially chartered, the area was already home to a train depot and a hotel, serving as a vital stop for travelers and trade. One of the first industries to emerge was Ridgeland Wagon Works, established in 1901. In addition to carriages and wagons, the company provided a full range of farm equipment, supporting the area’s agricultural economy. Other early businesses included a cotton gin and supply company, a canning company, Ridgeland Milling and Manufacturing, and Adcock’s Grocery.

Marker #6, Wesley Chapel Methodist Church - Marker 6 stands at the original site of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church. Established in the late 19th century, Wesley Chapel was the first Methodist church to serve southern Madison County. Originally constructed near the intersection of Old Canton Road and County Line Road, the chapel was relocated to downtown Ridgeland in 1901 and renamed Ridgeland Methodist Church.

Marker #8, The Choctaw Agency - In 1811, the acting Choctaw agent, Silas Dinsmoor, moved the agency to this site. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, the site encompasses a 3.3-mile segment of the old Natchez Trace and an archaeological site where the government agency for the Choctaw was housed from 1811 to 1823.

Marker 15: The Mississippi Craft Center – Home to the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi, showcasing the work of over 400 artisans.

Marker 16: Brashears Stand - Brashears Stand was named for Robert Turner Brashears, who moved to this area in the late 1700s. Like other stands located along the Natchez Trace Parkway, Brashears offered travelers basic accommodations and provisions. Brashear’s Stand was located along the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Marker 17: Civil War - Although Ridgeland was founded well after the Civil War, several actions occurred in Madison County during the war. After the war, Ridgeland was settled largely by immigrants from northern states, and a number of Union veterans became prominent citizens.

Marker 18: Ridgeland's Agricultural Heritage - While modern-day Ridgeland has numerous retail outlets, office complexes, and industries, the early economy was based on agriculture. The area around the Village of Ridgeland grew to be one of the most successful commercial farming sections in the state. Ridgeland was primarily known for producing strawberries, peaches, pears, and pecans.

Marker 19: Northpark Mall - Built in 1984 on 100 acres of farmland and located on East County Line Road, the 957,000-square-foot Northpark Mall was a joint project of Cadillac-Fairview of White Plains, New York, and McRae’s, Inc. The mall was built to compete with Jackson’s Metrocenter Mall.

Marker 20: Ridgeland's Native American Heritage - For almost 12,000 years, Native Americans have lived in what is now Madison County. Located in the Jackson Prairie, the area’s grasslands supported a variety of plants and animals to sustain pre-agricultural, nomadic populations. Remains of prehistoric hunting camps can be found in archaeological sites containing stone tools.

Marker 21: 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. As part of the Federal Highway Act, construction of Interstate 55 between Jackson and Canton began in 1960. These roadways were integral to Ridgeland’s growth.

Marker 22: The Pecan Tree - Today, the majestic remnants of the old pecan groves and orchards planted by the first settlers of Ridgeland and the Highland Colony are scattered throughout the city. Many pecan trees would have been planted circa 1896, making them over 125 years old today. In 2024, in honor of the historical significance of the pecan tree and the 125th anniversary of the City, the Pecan Tree was designated as the Official City Tree.

For more information, visit Ridgeland City Hall or click here.