Glimpses of Meridian, Mississippi

Meridian, MS is a small town located in east central Mississippi not far from the Alabama state line - in what some like to call the "toenails of the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains". While that may be stretching things a bit - it does strongly convey the rolling hill terrain of the region. Meridian sets in a bowl shaped depression that often protects it from the ravages of severe weather - though not always - downtown Meridian was near flattened in 1906 by a tornado that destroyed much of the business district just north of the railroad tracks. Meridian has a long, long relationship with the railroads - it is no stretch to note that Meridian owes it's birth to the railroads - as the junction of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad - and the Southern Railway of Mississippi was originally known as Sowashsee Station - was renamed "Meridian". Over the years - Meridian became the cross-roads and interchange point for as many as five railroads. Today - three freight railroads operate here - Norfolk-Southern running along the I59 corridor; Kansas City Southern running along the I 20 corridor; and Meridian's own short-line - Meridian and Bigbee operates between here and the paper mill on the Tombigbee Water Way - along with numerous small industries along the way. Amtrak runs through twice each day with one north bound and one south bound run between New Orleans and Washington, D.C. Obviously - there is a lot "Railroad" here in Meridian - many glimpses are of things "railroad".

Glimpses is NOT a tour of Meridian - there is no attempt to "cover" Meridian here - just the unusual things that pop up now and then. There are many other sites that "do the town" covering the more conventional things - such as the Dentzel Carousel, Dunn's Falls, the Riley Center, Bonita Lakes and the Temple Theater. We've listed some "tour sites" at the bottom of this page if that's what you're looking for.

This site will be permanently "under construction" - as I'll be adding things as they come along - and I get time. Y'all come visit every-so-often -- just might be something new added since your last visit. If not - we'll just sit a spell - visit and enjoy life here in the "Queen City".

Getting Around Glimpses:

Each picture below represents a "section" (with one or two exceptions that are noted) - just click on each picture to get to that page. Each page has a complete "set" of pictures for that section.

Most recent updates:

Snow Storm February 12th, 2010

It doesn't usually snow here. Really. Oh - maybe the occasional dusting that's gone in an hour or so...
But NOT that heavy, nasty stuff that disrupts traffic - and life as usual!
However - once every 20 or so years - Mother Nature reminds us of what she can do - when she wants to!

Soulé Live Steam Fest - November 7 & 7, 2009

Soulé Live Steam Fest 2009 was so large- we had to make a new Glimpses page for it. Well over 100 photos and a couple of videos - the 2009 event was a "tooting" success.

AND

Thunder over Meridian - Veterans Day 2009.

While Meridian is a great "Rail Road" town - it's also an "Air Power" town, as well - and knows how to celebrate both it's Air Power and Veterans in style!

Trains

Part 1 Queen City Rail Fest - November 3rd, 2007 (click here or on picture for more...)

Kansas City Southern EMD F Unit KCS2 Meridian, MS

Planes

Part 1 Feeding Thunderbirds

Meridian is known for its hospitality and it's food - but this is a little different!

Thunderbirds mid-air refueling, meridian, ms

Click on picture for more...)

Steam

Part 1 The Soulé Live Steam Festival

This includes both November 3, 2007 and November 1, 2008

Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2007

Trains

Part 2 The Meridian Speedway

Track Maintenance Train - Meridian "Speedway"

Planes - Part 2

Meridian's Key Field, and Air National Guard

And the occasional "special" visitor...

Meridian Regional Airport Terminal Building

Stuff - Part 1

Snow

THIS is NOT supposed to happen here - this is, after all - the "Sun Belt" -- and not this time of year -March! (click for more...)

Stuff -

Snow Part 2

Here we go again! With a once every 20+ years snow storm!
Seriously - it doesn't usually snow here. Honest.
But this storm breaks the trend - and turns this usual "sunbelt" railroad town into a white railroad town!

Trains

Part 3

Dunn Roadbuilders Railroad

Dunn Roadbuilders Materials site - Meridian, MS

Planes

Part 3 Wings over Meridian

Trains

Part 4

National Train Day - Meridian, Mississippi Style

May 10th, 2008

Steam

Part 2 The Soulé Live Steam Festival

November 6 & 7th, 2009

Planes

Part 4 Thunder over Meridian

Veterans Day November 11, 2009

Email: Randy and Sherry Guttery - Comcents.com

Links to some recommended Meridian Sites:

City of Meridian		City of Meridian's official site - Attactions page.
Visit Meridian		Lauderdale County Tourism site - Choose the "Attractions" Link from the "Planning a Visit" menu item.
Meridian, MS		Meridian, Mississippi entry in Wiki - quick and concise information all about Meridian.
Magnolia Chapter ATOS		The Theater Organ society based in Meridian - Several pipe organs including the Robert Morton in the Temple Theater.

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Glimpses of Meridian, Mississippi

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