1984 Map of Meridian

About this map

Meridian stands as the central hub of this East Mississippi and West Alabama borderland, where the Illinois Central Gulf RR, Southern Ry, and Meridian and Bigbee RR converge. This rail and highway network connects a series of outlying settlements like Toomsuba, Chunky, and Cuba, many of which were established as rural trading points and water stops. To the north, the Meridian Naval Air Station and the Okatibbee State Wildlife Management Area surrounding Okatibbee Lake represent a mid-century shift toward military aviation and planned water management. Moving east across the state line into Alabama, the landscape softens into the timberlands of the Kinterbish State Wildlife Management Area and the river bottoms of the Tombigbee River. Local genealogy and community history are preserved in markers like Memorial Park Cem, Savannah Grove Ch, and Key Sch.