COMMUNITIES

Established in 1828 and named after James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, is Madison County. Madison County is called "the land between two rivers" because it is bordered by the Big Black River to the northwest and the Pearl River to the southeast. Madison County encompasses 713 square miles and is located just north of Jackson, Mississippi's capitol city. Madison County is composed of four unique and thriving incorporated cities: Canton, Flora, Madison, and Ridgeland.

Madison County has continued to experience incredible growth due to its close proximity to the capital city and being selected as the site for Nissan in Mississippi. Population alone has increased 28% in the last ten years. But the best part of Madison County is not its growth; community values and pride are what bring Madison County to the top of the heap. Learn more about the four unique communities in Madison County below.

Canton Chamber of Commerce
Canton Community Profile
(192 KB pdf file)

In 1833 the Madison County Board of Police (a governing body similar to present day 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, the land for the town was legally incorporated - a lively community of 400. The first recorded ordinance made it a misdemeanor to gallop a horse, mare, or mule on any street or alley. Canton was officially designated as the county seat of Madison County in 1836.

No one knows for sure about the naming of Canton, but one of the more popular "naming stories" goes as follows: A family moving from Bolton to Kirkwood had a Chinese servant named Canton who died during the trip; he was buried where he died, which was on Mr. Walton's 40 acre tract which was later chosen as the town site. It seems there was a grave marker erected with " Canton" inscribed on it, and in looking around for a name, the officials saw the board saying " Canton." Why anybody back in those days would be lugging around a Chinese servant is something else, but it makes a good story.

Canton’s historic courthouse and downtown square are on the National Register of historic places. Canton was the film location of the hit 1996 movie “A Time to Kill” and is known as the “Movie Capital of the South.” Canton is also home to the Canton Flea Market and the Madison County Hot Air Balloon Race.

Flora

Flora Chamber of Commerce
Flora Community Profile
(192 KB pdf file)

Located in southwest Madison County is the town of Flora, a rural farm community with an industrial area located north of town at Kearney Park. The area was settled in 1830 by Colonel Walton Gaston Kearney and became a major shipping point for cotton and lumber. The Mississippi Petrified Forest, largest of its kind east of the Mississippi River, is located in the town of Flora. This site has been known since the mid-19th century, but it was not until 1966 that it was named a Registered National Natural Landmark, and subsequently developed and opened to the public.

Madison

Madisonthecity.com
Madison Community Profile
(192 KB pdf file)

Madison, Mississippi, named for James Madison, the fourth President of the United States, grew up along a bustling railroad track in pre-Civil War Mississippi. It was 1856 when the Illinois Central Railroad opened its Madison Station, the forerunner of today’s City of Madison. Like many railroad towns in the South, Madison Station fell victim to the Civil War. Just 10 miles from the state capital, Jackson, it was largely destroyed after the July 18-22, 1861 siege of Jackson. The railroad continued to serve as a magnet for business growth after the Civil War. In 1897, the Madison Land Company encouraged our northern neighbors to "Go South, and grow up with the country." Located in Chicago on the Illinois Central Railroad line, the Land Company’s interest in development prompted Madison to incorporate as a village, although the charter was later lost when regular elections were not held due to the failure of the "land boom." The Land Company offered prime land for as little as $3.00 an acre. The company boasted that Mississippi had the lowest debt ratio in the nation at $19.00 per capita and that Mississippians were declared one third healthier by "official figures" than people in New York and Massachusetts. These figures were quoted with confidence in the Madison Land Company brochure by Bishop Hugh Miller Thompson, the Second Episcopal Bishop of the State of Mississippi and a Madison resident, who hailed originally from the Wisconsin heartland.

Madison is one of 19 cities in Mississippi considered a "certified retirement community." Madison also is the top city in all major socioeconomic categories based on 2000 Census estimates. In 2001 Madison was the safest city in Mississippi of the 31 cities with a population of 10,000 or more who reported their felony crime statistics to the FBI.

Madison County Cultural Center, located on Main Street in Madison, serves as the heart of the county’s vision for providing opportunities for awareness and participation in the arts for its residents. It is the home of the Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet Company. It provides classes in all art forms, sponsors a performing arts series, information services, incubator studio space for artists, and other programs to meet the cultural needs of the community. The performing art series has served up everything from Broadway tunes to blues at twilight and classical concerts as well as musicals and other theatrical productions.

Ridgeland

Ridgleland Chamber of Commerce
Visitridgeland.org
Ridgeland Community Profile
(192 KB pdf file)

Ridgeland, Mississippi, founded at the turn of the 19th century has all the charm of small southern town with the amenities of a larger city. With the historic Natchez Trace meandering through the heart of the town, you experience the rich heritage and natural beauty of the area. The Ross Barnett Reservoir creates boundless opportunities for outdoor adventures and is the scene of many special events and festivals.

On December 29, 1999, Ridgeland celebrated 100 years. However, Ridgeland's history dates many years prior to 1899. Located on the historic Natchez Trace, which has been used as a thoroughfare by Indians and settlers since the 1700's, it is reasonable that the area now known as Ridgeland has been inhabited for hundreds of years.

The 1960 census reported 875 residents and in 1961, Ridgeland was predicted to grow more than any other area in Madison County for the next 20 years. That prediction was right on target. By 1980, the population was 5,000. In 1984, the largest mall in the state, Northpark opened. During the 80's, Ridgeland continued on a steady growth pattern, and the 90's brought the Highland Colony Parkway and many new businesses to the area. Now one of the fastest growing cities in Mississippi, Ridgeland is home to over 21,000 citizens.

Ridgeland is located literally across the street from Jackson, the capitol city of Mississippi. There are over 950 clean, comfortable and well-appointed hotel rooms for your convenience as well as more than 95 of the finest restaurants in the state. Hundreds of retailers offer every conceivable item for your shopping pleasure, and area attractions and festivals abound. Come to Ridgeland where you can expect the best!