RIDGELAND MUNICIPAL COURT

Ridgeland is a city in Madison County, Mississippi, with a population of 24,047 at the time of the 2010 census. The historic Natchez Trace meanders through the middle of Ridgeland while the Ross Barnett Reservoir offers a wide array of outdoor activities as well as being home to many special events and festivals. Although Ridgeland engaged in a centennial celebration in 1999, the history of the town actually dates back to the 1700’s.

In 1805, what would eventually become Ridgeland the Choctaw Indian Agency existed and was known as Turner Brashear’s Stand. A number of famous Americans traveled through Ridgeland on the Natchez Trace, including Andrew Jackson, John James Audubon and Meriwether Lewis (of Lewis and Clark). In the mid-1800’s, the name Brashear’s Stand was changed to King’s Inn—King was associated with the with a gang of thugs known as the Murrells who terrorized, robbed and even killed Natchez Trace travelers.

King’s Inn was used as a headquarters for General Stephen Lee during the Civil War, and between 1896 and 1908, the area which is now Ridgeland was a bustling community with a three-story hotel, a canning factory, two churches and a sawmill. On the current site of the town’s water tower, a small schoolhouse was built in 1910, then later, in 1925, Ridgeland and Madison schools were consolidated. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the state of Mississippi, Ridgeland is virtually across the street from the state capital, Jackson. Because of its proximity to Jackson, there are scores of activities to engage visitors to the area as well as those who live in Ridgeland.

Faith Hill, country music start, was born and raised in Ridgeland until her family moved to Star when Faith was in junior high. All three members of The Band Perry were born and raised in Ridgeland as was Bianca Knight, famed track and field athlete. David H. Nutt, attorney and philanthropist—and, as of 2014, the richest person in Mississippi—is also a resident of Ridgeland.