Recognizing the City of Ridgeland, Mississippi, on the Occasion of its 125th Anniversary

Floor Speech

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Mr. GUEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the city of Ridgeland in Madison County, Mississippi, on the occasion of its 125th anniversary in 2024.

The land that is now Ridgeland was once only a footpath along the Natchez Trace for the local Choctaw Indians. Over time, the footpath became a common road for travel and commerce. Turner Brashears, an early settler in Mississippi, opened a stand nearby in 1804 after seeing the potential of the area for business. In 1811, Silas Dinsmor opened the Choctaw Agency in the area. Though small and seemingly insignificant at the time, in 1812 Andrew Jackson camped with his army at Brashears Stand returning from New Orleans.

By 1829, Madison County, named after former President James Madison, was established in Mississippi. The growth in the area was recognized and in 1832 William J. Austin was granted land along the Natchez Trace. In 1853, Austin sold the land to James Burroughs from North Carolina. By 1865, the area was called Yellowley's Crossing by the Illinois Central Railroad, which operated there. This changed the old footpath forever.

The local community began to swell with people and the locals started calling the area Jessamine. The old Brashears Stand was destroyed by a fire in 1896 and Yellowley sold his land to the Highland Colony Company owned by Gorton W. Nichols and Edwards M. Treakle. In 1899, the village was incorporated as Ridgeland.

Since its incorporation in 1899, Ridgeland has been a center for trade and travel and offers a vibrant life for its residents. Through many decades of forward-thinking leadership, including that of longtime mayor Gene McGee, Ridgeland has continued to prosper. In 1999, Ridgeland celebrated 100 years and here, in 2024, I am proud to offer these remarks in honor of her 125th anniversary.

Ridgeland has done much through the years to contribute to the betterment of society and I'm proud to represent Ridgeland, Mississippi, in the United States Congress.

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