Bill and Virginia Sturdivant moved to Ridgeland in 1946 with their daughter, Joy. Another daughter, Lynn
was born later. Bill Sturdivant’s contributions to Ridgeland are long and varied. He was a member of the
vigilantes that cleaned up Ridgeland and sat on various boards for the city. In 1999, he was named
Home Town Hero. He was a charter member of the Historical Society of Ridgeland. For 30 years, he
built industrial models for everything from tugboats to military vehicles and received national
recognition when he designed the tires used on the lunar rover.
Welcome Message from the History RoomOn behalf of the Historical Society of Ridgeland, I welcome you to the History Room....Read moreCongressional RecordCongressman Michael Guest surprised the City by presenting the Congressional Record in honor of the125th...Read moreMatt Dodd & Nancy Batson Holding History Brochure Map & Basket Of History Brochures2016 Enlarged Brochure Map: Matt Dodd, City Landscape Architect /designer of map; Nancy Batson,Chair, Historical...Read moreCollection Of Photo AlbumsVisitors of the History Room can take a look back in time through pages of...Read moreHistorical Society Of Ridgeland – Formation MeetingOn September 24, 2009, Sandra Monohan, then Community Promotions Coordinator, organized theformation meeting of the...Read moreHistorical Society Of Ridgeland – 2013The Historical Society of Ridgeland – circa 2013: L-R, back: Cecil Snodgrass, Gerald Steen, Robby...Read moreState Senate Resolution For 125th AnniversaryIn March 2024, the Mississippi Senate and House recognized Ridgeland’s 125th anniversary with aResolution that...Read moreBlough, Stewart, Henderson,Jenkins: Rag Doll W/descriptionThe rag doll was made by Ruth Henderson Jenkins for the Methodist Pazarre in the...Read moreRidgeland MayorsComposite photos of Ridgeland Mayors since the foundingRead moreDrawing Of Post OfficeArtwork by R. Cunningham of former Ridgeland Post OfficeRead moreSenate Concurrent Resolution No. 551The February 17, 1999 Mississippi Senate Resolution recognizing Ridgeland’s centennial anniversary.Read moreBlough, Stewart, Henderson, Jenkins: Family PhotoAs a teen laborer in 1883, Samuel Blough came to Ridgeland from Indiana after a...Read moreBlough, Stewart, Henderson, Jenkins: Photo Of CoupleA wedding photo of John Blough and Mamie Jenkins on May 16, 1908.Read moreFirst Families DescriptionThe Ridgeland Historical Society is proud to showcase and honor the first families of Ridgeland....Read moreCowbellA cowbell used on milk farms at that time.Read moreCoziar Family: EssayEssay about Ridgeland: written by Carol Coziar; Madison Ridgeland School (1947 – 48)Read moreState Of Mississippi – M.b. Ridgeway, Mayor, Town Of RidgelandThe Mississippi Secretary of State Certificate recognizing M.B. Ridgeway as Mayor of the Town ofRidgeland...Read moreClay BowlDeep South Pottery Bowl: The bowl was presented to sponsors in 2010 as a thank...Read moreCypress BenchThe cypress bench was donated to the Historical Society of Ridgeland by Jim and Nancy...Read moreWesley Chapel Stained GlassA piece of the stained glass from the church. The historic Wesley Chapel was destroyed...Read moreTelling Ridgeland’s Story ArticleA 2023 article from Ridgeland Life Magazine regarding the historic Wesley Chapel. Ridgeland Lifemagazine is...Read moreCARS IN FRONT OF CHURCHA photo of the Wesley Chapel. (Circa 1950s)Read moreRidgeland Methodist Church ProgramA Ridgeland Methodist Church program – later known as Wesley Chapel.Read moreCarr HomesteadA photo of the Carr homestead circa 1920s.Read moreCarr Home 1912A photo of the Carr home in 1912.Read moreHarvey Carr ArticleA Northside Sun article from 2012 regarding Harvey Carr, Sr.Read moreMissouri Harris CummingsFamily photo: This photo was taken in front of her two story house that stood...Read moreNorthside Sun ArticleA 2015 article regarding Eloise Gilbert.Read moreHarris Family Early 1890sA Harris family photo from the early 1890s.Read moreSix Generations Of The Carr FamilyPhoto of the Carr family – six generationsRead moreJack Carr’s WatchJack Carr’s watch (1915)Read moreJohn Wesley Carr With GranddaughterA photo of John Wesley Carr with his granddaughter, Rosa Carr KlassRead moreOld PostcardspostcardsRead moreFirst Generation Carr Family In RidgelandA Carr family photo.Read moreCarr FamilyA Carr family photo.Read moreThe Cummings FamilyA Cummings family photo.Read moreHarris-coleman Family ReunionA photo of the Harris-Coleman family reunion in 1981.Read moreJohnny, Mary, Mary, Curtis…A Gilbert family photo.Read moreCarr Family DescriptionAnswering an advertisement in 1899 for a work opportunity placed by the highland colony company,John...Read moreJohn Carr GlassesJohn Wesley Carr’s glasses (1898 – 1910)Read moreGold KeyHarvey Carr, Sr.’s Key to the CityRead moreJackson Street PostcardA postcard of Jackson Street from 1914.Read moreDistinquished Mayors ArticleAn article regarding Ridgeland’s distinguished mayors. This article indicates the links between the Harris,Cummings, and...Read moreCarr Family ArticleThis 2007 article is from The Madison County Herald. The Carr family came to the...Read moreMayor’s DocketMAYORS DOCKET–Criminal Cases: VILLAGE OF RIDGELAND, MS (1901 – 1954)Read moreBlack Community ArticleThis article tells how the Harris family came to Mississippi as enslaved persons with J....Read moreYellowley Bill Of SaleThe 1848 document showing sale of land, tools, livestock, and enslaved persons from J.B. Yellowley...Read more2nd Choctaw DistrictThis plat, made in 1822, shows the eastern part of the Choctaw District. Much of...Read moreChoctaw DistrictThis plat, made in 1825, shows the Choctaw District and the location of the Agency...Read moreRidgeland PlatThe firm of Koehler and Keele, civil engineers, certified this map for the Town of...Read moreJackson Evening NewsThis April 1896 edition of the Jackson Evening News tells of the coming of “home...Read more1-17-55 Aerial View Of RidgelandAn aerial view of the Town of Ridgeland taken in 1955 when the population was...Read moreTown Hall On Jackson St July 4, 1918A picture taken in front of Town Hall on Jackson Street, July 4, 1918. L-...Read moreJack Carr’s SawmillA photo of Jack Carr’s sawmill – circa 1920’sRead moreCarr Family DeedAnswering an advertisement in 1899 for a work opportunity placed by the highland colony company,John...Read moreFire Helmet1972 Assistant Chief Helmet: three bugles (nozzles) indicate Assistant ChiefRead moreCloth Fire Department Volunteer Uniform PatchRidgeland Fire Department volunteer uniform patchRead moreOld Fire House And EquipmentRead moreSteve Thomas And Mark HardyA newspaper clip from the Madison County Journal on December 12, 2009: Steve Thomas and...Read moreBadgeRidgeland Fire Department BadgeRead moreRed TelephoneThe phone used for a previous dedicated emergency line.Read more1980 Annual ReportThe City of Ridgeland 1980 Annual ReportRead moreVote For Continued ProgressGet out the Vote FlyerRead moreOld Agency RoadA current photo of Old Agency Road.Read moreOld Agency Road MarkerOld Agency Road: Named for the Choctaw Indian Agency once located in this area. Old...Read moreOld Agency Corridor Preservation DistrictThe City of Ridgeland adopted the Old Agency Road Corridor Preservation District as Section 320...Read moreGail Pittman PlateIn 1992, Gail Pittman moved Gail Pittman Designs to Ridgeland, and she eventually employed more...Read moreChoctaw OrnamentThe beaded Christmas ornament was made by a Choctaw craftsmen and presented to the HistoricalSociety...Read moreBeaded Choctaw Jewelry/basketsChoctaw baskets and beaded jewelry are on loan from the permanent collection of the CraftsmensGuild...Read moreNational Park Service Grand OpeningEvent Promotional Flyer of the Information Center – September 12, 2009Read moreChristmas Ornanment2007 City of Ridgeland Christmas OrnamentRead moreNatchez Trace Parkway Information CenterThe Parkway Information Center at the Ridgeland cabin is located at milepost 102.4 off the...Read moreCrystal AshtrayGift itemRead moreBibleThis Bible was given to Mayor Gene McGee by his mother-in-law, Mrs. Winston (Kathryn Belle)...Read moreGreenwood Plantation BookThis book is given to residents of the current residential development that was previously the...Read moreGreenwood Plantation PhotoGreenwood Plantation was built in 1854 by the cotton planter Colonel William Fenil Battley, Sr....Read moreHistorical Marker Located On Jackson StreetWhat is now the City of Ridgeland was first settled in 1832 when William Austin...Read moreCity Of Ridgeland LogoThe basis of the City logo is the geological ridge where the area was first...Read moreOriginal Official SealOriginal Official Seal of the City of RidgelandRead moreHighland Colony BookletThe Ridgeland Operation Report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978 – the same...Read moreMayor Gene Mcgee’s PenMayor McGee has used this pen to sign numerous documents and ordinances for the City...Read moreNov 6, 2020 Railroad District PhotoCity officials gathered at The Plaza at Old Town Crossing to celebrate the renaming of...Read moreGavelRidgeland Planning Commission GavelRead moreGail Pittman Painted PlatterIn 1992, Gail Pittman moved Gail Pittman Designs to Ridgeland, and she eventually employed more...Read moreGail Pittman Clock TowerIn 1992, Gail Pittman moved Gail Pittman Designs to Ridgeland, and she eventually employed more...Read moreChocktaw BasketsMississippi Choctaw Basketry by Choctaw members of the Craftsmen Guild of Mississippi: Choctawwomen still weave...Read moreAntique Store Painting In Old TownRidgelandThis painting of the antique store in Old Town is by local artist, Mark Millet....Read morePotteryIn the early 1990’s native Mississippian, Vickie Carroll, established a premium line of pottery inRidgeland,...Read moreMississippi Secretary Of State Formation DocumentDecember 29, 1899 formation document with petitioner signaturesRead moreMississippi Secretary Of State Formation DocumentThe official document signed by Secretary of State, J. L. Power, certifying the incorporation of...Read moreHistorical Society Of Ridgeland LogoThe official logo of the Historical Society of Ridgeland: The Society was formed in 2009....Read moreMississippi Secretary Of State 1899 Formation DocumentIncorporation of the Village of Ridgeland – December 29, 1899Read moreHistorical Committee Of Ridgeland Formation PhotoIn October, 2017, Mayor Gene McGee and the Board of Aldermen approved the formation of...Read morePodiumThe Podium was formerly used for meetings at the old City Hall located at 304...Read moreHistory room guest bookThe Guest Book cover was donated in January 2021 by Nancy Batson, History Committee Chair...Read more