| 1805 |
Choctaw Agency Building, title Old Agency, was located on the Natchez Trace.
Silas Dinsmor was the Agent in charge.
First stand opened by the Choctaw Nation called Turner Brashear's Stand. |
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| 1817 |
Dinsmor was dismissed as Agent as the result of a quarrel he had with Andrew Jackson. Jackson refused to show proper ID while traveling on the Natchez Trace. |
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| 1832 |
Section of land where Ridgeland is currently located was deeded to William J. Austin. |
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| 1850 |
In 1850 Brashear's Stand was known as King's Inn.
King was an associate of the famous Murrell gang. According to legend he would rob his wealthy guests and toss their remains into the wilderness.
Andrew Jackson visited the Inn on his return from Battle of New Orleans, and Stephen D. Lee used it as his headquarters during the Civil War. |
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| 1852 |
Kings Inn became Hawthorne Vale which was destroyed by fire in 1896. |
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| 1853 |
James B. Yellowley, from South Carolina, purchased the land from Austin Community. It became known as Yellowley's Crossing and later Jessamine, named for Mrs. Yellowley. |
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| 1865 |
The Illinois Central RR was known as Yellowley Switch. |
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| 1896 |
Nichols and Reakle, Chicago Realtors, purchased site from Yellowley and others to form the Highland Colony Company. It was originally one square mile in area and located on the highest elevation of the Illinois Central Railroad.
Edward M. Treakle and Gorton W. Nichols developed building sites and laid out a town called Ridgeland. He had the plat surveyed and platted in the chancery clerk's office in 1896.
April 17,1896 Issue of the Canton Times
"The Highland Colonies are booming in the imagination of those who are leading in its development - Great things are expected - in less than two years, they will have a town of 5000 people so they say, time will prove. Candidates for mayor are already announcing themselves."
August 14, 1896 Issue of the Canton Times
"The first family for Ridgeland arrived Wednesday from Michigan. They have purchased land but have not built, which they will proceed to do right away. It is claimed that 30 families will be down by the first of November. The fine three story hotel is near completed."
Land sold for $35 an acre and a nice 4-room cottage could be constructed for$300. First school established in town hall.
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| 1899 |
Incorporated as a village on December 29, petition was presented to Governor A.J. McLaurin, containing business firms, a post office, hotel and a population of some 150 people.
P.L. Porter elected as the first mayor of Ridgeland.
First ordinance was established - against chickens running at large.
Presbyterian Church organized with 25 members. |
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| 1900 |
St. Luke's Episcopal Church erected.
February 6 was the first Board Meeting.
First monies turned in $1.50 license fees collected from Frank Adams for a circus.
First record of any monies spent was in April when a premium of $1.50 was paid for an insurance premium on the town hall.
First industry established the Ridgeland Wagon Works,a wagon and carriage manufacturing company which carried a complete line of farm implements and harnesses.
Sawmill was erected at about the same time as the establishment of Ridgeland Wagon Works.
Strawberries were one of the largest cash crops. |
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| 1901 |
Fire destroyed the business section on Jackson Street - suspected arson. |
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| 1902 |
Presbyterian church building erected; Methodist chapel moved from Old Canton Road to site on Jackson Street, each board was numbered as it was disassembled.
The Rev. J. G. Moore was paid $100 to rebuild the chapel. |
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| 1908 |
New mayor elected, J.B. Yellowley.
Mississippi Canning Company erected. |
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| 1909 |
Yellowley's son accepts U. S. Marshall position in Jackson. |
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| 1910 |
A two-room school constructed where the present water tower stands. |
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| 1914 |
School moved to present elementary school site.
Tucker family on Ash Plantation |
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| 1925 |
School consolidated with Madison. |
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| 1928 |
Electricity brought in to the village. |
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| 1933 |
13,000 gallon water tank installed. |
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| 1947 |
Incorporated into a town during the term of Mayor Earl Adcock.
Ridgeland Baptist church organized with 18 members, built on site of Episcopal Church on Jackson Street.
Began construction of Natchez Trace Parkway. |
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| 1949 |
50,000 gallon water tank installed. |
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| 1950 |
600 citizens |
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| 1951 |
The Natchez Trace paved to Highway 51.
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| 1953 |
City limits expanded. |
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| 1960 |
Census at 875. |
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| 1961 |
The Comprehensive Plan for Madison County and for the municipalities of Canton, Madison, Flora and Ridgeland prepared by the City and industrial planners of Baton Rouge cited that Ridgeland is expected to grow more than any other area in the county in the next 20 years.
Development of the Ross Barnett Reservoir. |
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| 1962 |
Land sold for $1000-$2000 an acre.
Predicted population at 3500 by 1980. |
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| 1970 |
Became the City of Ridgeland. |
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| 1975 |
Corporate limits expanded.
Mildred's Tea Room water tank fell. |
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| 1980 |
Population approximately 5,000 |
