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 are guilty of that last one, though in two sister sites - www.mcatos.org - the Magnolia Chapter of the American Theater Organ Society; and www.meridiantempletheater.com - the Temple Theater's official site). 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.

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.

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 it's 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
Rare snow fall - Meridian, MS
THIS is NOT supposed to happen here - this is, after all - the "Sun Belt" -- and not this time of year -March! (click for more...)

Trains

Part 3

Dunn Roadbuilders Railroad
Dunn Roadbuilders Materials site - Meridian, MS

Planes

Part 3

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.
Temple Theater Temple Theater's official site.
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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