Historical Marker

Gillespie V. "Sonny" Montgomery

Marker installed: 2007
Marker provided by: Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Since 1949 the State Historical Marker program has identified and interpreted historic sites across Mississippi. More than one thousand markers can be found near buildings, battlefields, cemeteries, churches, temples, forts, homes, schools, and abandoned towns.

For tourists the markers may be their only glimpses into the state’s rich and varied history. For Mississippi communities the markers can be points of pride that memorialize locally important people and events.

State Historical Markers are privately sponsored and funded. Anyone may sponsor a marker. To qualify a site must have unique historical significance to the local community, the state, or the nation.

Mississippi is home to several historically black colleges and universities, including Jackson State University, Alcorn State University, and Mississippi Valley State University.
Mississippi random facts
Lauderdale County, Mississippi is located in the eastern part of the state and has a rich and diverse history. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Choctaw and Chickasaw, who utilized the land for hunting and farming.

European settlement in the area began in the early 19th century, with the establishment of small communities and trading posts. Additionally, the arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s helped spur economic growth and attract more settlers to the region.

During the Civil War, Lauderdale County and its surrounding areas were deeply divided, with some residents supporting the Union while others sided with the Confederacy. This led to skirmishes and conflicts within the community, leaving scars that lasted long after the war ended.

In the years following the war, Lauderdale County experienced a period of rebuilding and reconstruction. Agriculture, including the cultivation of cotton and lumber industries, played a significant role in the county's economy. The labor force mainly relied on sharecropping and tenant farming, which shaped the social and economic landscape of the area.

In the 20th century, Lauderdale County continued to grow and develop. Education became a priority, with the establishment of public schools and the expansion of higher education institutions such as Meridian Community College. Today, the county remains a vibrant and diverse community, with a thriving economy and a strong sense of pride in its history and heritage.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Lauderdale County, Mississippi.

  • 1833 - Lauderdale County established as one of the original counties of the Mississippi Territory.
  • 1836 - Meridian chosen as the county seat.
  • Late 1800s - Railroads leading to growth and economic prosperity in the county.
  • 1861-1865 - Lauderdale County affected by the Civil War.
  • Late 1800s to early 1900s - Lumber industry plays a significant role in the county's economy.
  • 1923 - Meridian Naval Air Station established near NAS Meridian.
  • 1942-1945 - Naval Air Station plays a crucial role during World War II.
  • 1964 - Meridian Civil Rights activists James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner murdered by the Ku Klux Klan.
  • Late 20th century - Lauderdale County experiences population growth and industrial development.
  • 21st century - Lauderdale County continues to be an important economic and cultural hub in Mississippi.