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Madison County Chamber - Community

Madison County, in the central part of the State, was established January 29, 1828, and was named for President James Madison, fourth President of the United States. It was originally a part of the old county of Hinds. In 1823 Hinds surrendered a large section of its area to form the county of Yazoo, and five years later that portion of Yazoo lying east of the Big Black River, was taken to form the county of Madison.
February 22, 1840, the present boundary line between Madison and Hinds counties was established. This is one of the richest farming sections of the whole State and early attracted a large influx of settlers. It had had 89,746 acres under cultivation in 1836. The first courts of the county were held at Beattie’s Bluff, on the Big Black River, and boats ascended the river to this point.
The following men were appointed commissioners to select and lay out a county seat, and contract for the erection of county buildings: Jonah R. Doak, Robert Carson, Sr., Archibald McGehee, John P. Thompson and William Wilson.

The first permanent county seat was located at the old town of Livingston, situated about 15 miles southwest of Canton, and at one time the most important town in the county. It began to decay when the county seat was changed to Madisonville.
The present county site was finally established at Canton, near the center of the county. Canton is a thriving town of 5,000 people, on the Illinois Central R. R., has the largest nursery and floral establishment in the State, and is the center of a locality where the growing of fruits and vegetables for market has assumed large proportions.
Some of the other important towns in the county are Madison Station (pop. 323), Ridgeland (pop. 300), Flora (pop. 304), Sharon and Millville. In the northeast corner of the county formerly stood the old historic home of Gov. McWillie, “Kirkwood,” long known as one of the most beautiful and hospitable homes in the South, and a refuge for its war-worn sons during the Civil War. Gen. Quitman, Governors Matthews, Foote, Pettus, and McRea, President Davis and many others of note have been entertained within its hospitable portals.

The main line of the Illinois Central R. R. runs through the center of the county, and a branch line of the same road runs from Jackson to Yazoo City and cuts across the southwestern corner. In the southern part, quantities of limestone and marls have been discovered. Immense quantities of peaches and strawberries are grown along the line of the Illinois Central R. R. in this county, and shipped to the northern markets. Pears, apples, figs and other fruits are also raised in abundance and do very well. The region is well adapted to stock raising and sheep husbandry on account of the excellent pasturage, and in 1900 the value of the livestock in the county had reached a total of $878,489. It can be made the banner livestock county of the State. As compared with agriculture, manufactures have attained small development, though the last census records a total of 75 manufacturing establishments. The total assessed valuation of the real and personal property in Madison County in 1905 was $4,819,430 and in 1906 it was $5,266,701, showing an increase during the year of $447,271.

Madison Station, an incorporated post-town in the southern part of Madison County, on the Illinois Central R. R., 12 miles by rail north of Jackson. The Bank of Madison was established here in 1901, with a capital of $20,000. It has a money order post office. Population in 1900 was 323. It is the banner town of the county in the volume of truck shipments and large quantities of strawberries, plums, peaches, peas and beets are shipped in carload lots during the berry and vegetable season.

Madison County is an incredible area to live, work, and visit in Mississippi. Many Madison County residents live in one of the five incorporated towns or cities: Madison, Ridgeland, Canton, Flora, or Gluckstadt. The Chamber is proud to be a supporter of all businesses in the area!
Below are links to each city in Madison County Ms!

Madison
Ridgeland
Canton
Flora
Gluckstadt
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The Chamber is proud to be a supporter of all businesses in the area!

For further information on Madison County, visit the official website at Home | Madison County Mississippi (madison-co.com).

Madison

Madison Mississippi from Made In Mississippi (Madison Ms).

There is something special about Madison the City! The difference between a city and a community is the spirit of its people. Madison is a suburb of Jackson with a population of 27,747. Madison is in Madison County and is one of the best places to live in Mississippi. Living in Madison offers residents a rural feel. The public schools in Madison are highly rated. To learn more about Madison the City, visit their website at Madison The City | There is something special about Madison the City.

Madison the City has recently rebranded their Chamber into Community Partners whose primary purpose is to promote economic growth within Madison the City.
Learn more about Community Partners here: Community Partners | Madison The City

Ridgeland

What is now the City of Ridgeland was first settled in 1832 when William Austin purchased land in this area near the Natchez Trace. James Yellowley bought the property in 1853. He sold it in 1896 to Gorton Nichols and Edward Treakle, who formed the Highland Colony Company and changed the name to Ridgeland. First incorporated on December 29, 1899, this city owes much of its early growth to the coming of the Illinois Central Railroad in 1865, which boosted the area's produce and farming operations.

The City of Ridgeland is a wonderful place for family and friends.
Situated just north of the capitol city, Ridgeland is convenient to the largest metropolitan area in Mississippi while offering some of the state’s finest shopping, dining, arts and entertainment. The community fosters friendly neighborhoods, healthy lifestyles and clean parks and streets.
Ridgeland has been named Tree City USA, Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community, and one of the 100 Best Places to Live by MONEY® magazine.

Learn more about the City of Ridgeland here: https://www.ridgelandms.org/

The Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce is one of the only two local Chambers in Madison County. Their mission is to encourage an economic environment conducive to the continuing development of new and existing businesses. Learn more about the Ridgeland Chamber here: https://ridgelandchamber.com/

Discover Ridgeland’s unique Inside + Out experiences and see why so many people keep coming back. Play on the Rez. Enjoy the beauty of nature on our miles of walking and biking trails. Shop for one-of-a-kind treasures. Dine like a local. There’s an undeniable vitality and energy here that makes it hard to sit still. You’ll find yourself up with sun, ready to explore our shining city on the historic Natchez Trace Parkway. Ridgeland provides a backdrop of beauty, comfort and excitement that makes every experience more rewarding. Plan your next visit here: Visit Ridgeland MS | Explore Ridgeland MS Inside & Out | Visit MS Today

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 22, 2018
1. Ridgeland Marker

Marker is in Ridgeland, Mississippi, in Madison County. Marker is at the intersection of West Jackson Street and NE Madison Drive, on the right when traveling west on

City of Ridgeland

Canton

Canton Mississippi, located in the geographic center of Madison County, was settled over 175 years ago as an early cotton farming center because of the rich soil between the Pearl and Big Black Rivers which form the North and South borders of Madison County. While many residents built beautiful antebellum homes, Canton grew as a booming railroad, lumber and saloon center prior to the Civil War. Our beautiful Greek Revival Courthouse completed in 1858, only one among seven Pre-Civil War courthouses in Mississippi to be in basically unaltered condition, is the center and glory of the downtown central business district.

In 1833, the Madison County Board of Police (a governing body similar to today's supervisors) appointed surveyor John B. Peyton to select a geographical center for a new county seat and to lay it out in blocks. In 1834, 40 acres of land belonging to Killis and Margaret Walton were deeded to the county for $100. The land was divided into square parcels with the plot nearest the center reserved for the public square.

In 1836, the town was legally incorporated and boasted a population of 400. The first recorded ordinance made it a misdemeanor to gallop horse, mare, or mule on any street or alley.

By 1838, Canton boasted two banks, two hotels, ten dry goods stores, a drug store, three groceries, a bakery, a tin shop, three tailor shops, and two watchmakers. The public buildings were a courthouse, jail, church, and a female academy.

There are two stories concerning the naming of Canton, and both attribute the name to Chinese origin. One states that Canton, Mississippi is the exact opposite side of the world as Canton, China, and was thus named. The other story states that the daughter of a Chinese family died in the area and the sympathetic community named the town for the family. There is really no more proof for one over the other; it's just which one you wish to believe. Learn more about the City of Canton here: History of Canton | city of Canton Ms

The City of Canton Chamber of Commerce was created to lead Canton’s business and community development through collaboration, innovation, and creativity. Located in the old train depot right off the square, the Canton Chamber helps connect and support local businesses. Learn more about what the Chamber is doing here The City of Canton Chamber of Commerce in Canton, Mississippi (cantonchambers.com)

Want to know more about the Movie Capital of Mississippi? Want to visit the largest craft flea market in the South? Want to know where the best chicken salad is off the square? Explore Canton Tourism here: Explore Mississippi - Places & Events | Canton Tourism

Canton Ms

Flora

Flora is a small community located in Madison County just north of Jackson and northwest of Madison. Flora was incorporated in 1886. The town is named after Flora Mann Jones, and early resident. Graves in Flora’s cemetery date to 1821. A Post Office was established in 1883. That same year, Flora became a stop on the newly constructed Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad. The railroad depot is now a museum and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Flora is a town in Mississippi with a population of 2,265. Flora is in Madison County and is one of the best places to live in Mississippi. Living in Flora offers residents a suburban rural mix feel and most residents rent their homes. Many families live in Flora and residents tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Flora are highly rated.

Flora offers a wide range of family interests from their annual Harvest Festival, Calico Fair to one of America’s Petrified Forest. Flora is near the Ross Barnett Reservoir which offers many activities such as fishing, camping, boating and many more outdoor actives for those who love the water and outdoor adventure. With the newly developed Industrial Park, Flora is growing and is positioned to allow your business or industry to prosper. To learn more about Flora, visit their website here: The Town of Flora, Mississippi – Small town flair and down to earth values (florams.com)

City of Flora

Gluckstadt

Gluckstadt Mississippi from Made In Mississippi (Gluckstadt Ms).

On June 17, 1905, Henry Klaas, John Kehle, Valentine Fitsch, Peter Schmidt and Joseph Weilandt, German descendants from Klaasville, Indiana, purchased farmland from the Highland Colony Company at Calhoun, Mississippi. Total cost was $22,000. Optimistically, they changed the name of the community to Gluckstadt (Lucky City). In the fall, nine families moved their household furnishings, farm implements and livestock to the South in Illinois Central Railroad “immigrant cars.” Over the winter they worked to build new homes and clear land in preparation for the spring planting.

Other German-American families who joined the growing community included Henry Aulenbrock, John A. Minninger, Peter Miller, Joseph Haas, Anthony Weisenberger, Peter Endris, and Peter Minninger.

In 1908 the early families suffered a tremendous blow when they found out that they did not actually own the land they had lived on for three years. They discovered that the Highland Colony Company never owned the land they sold these families. The land that the settlers bought and paid cash for actually still belonged to three widows, and the Highland Colony Company had only taken an option on the land, having never actually purchased it.

The law firm of Alexander & Alexander in Jackson was contacted for guidance in this matter. The firm’s partners were secretaries of a trust that was created for the purpose of providing loans. Loans were arranged and the families were able to keep their land, actually having to pay for it a second time.

Gluckstadt has now become one of the most sought-after areas to live and work in Madison County. Gluckstadt is located 17 miles north of Jackson. Learn more about the city of Gluckstadt here: Welcome - Gluckstadt, Mississippi

The Gluckstadt Madison Business Alliance was launched in May, 2022 and has been steadily growing as the Chamber of Commerce for Gluckstadt. Their passion is growing business and strengthening community. Learn more about the Business Alliance here Home (gluckstadtba.com)