Ridgeland Virtual History Room
Welcome to the Virtual History Room of Ridgeland. Immerse yourself in a digital exploration of Ridgeland’s deep historical roots, learning about the first families whose lives have helped define our City. This online experience mirrors the History Room at Ridgeland City Hall. Enjoy your virtual tour!
“Ridgeland was incorporated as a village on December 29, 1899, after the first families settled in the area. These families are important to our history, and they have left us with a heritage we can be proud of. We honor those who have made Ridgeland a special place to live and work, and we believe that a vital part of being a community is remembering our heritage and being thankful for those who took the time to plan for the future of our great City.” – Mayor Gene McGee
The History Committee is continually looking for additional information to enrich the archives and expand the narrative of Ridgeland’s origins. Our Share Your Story form offers a platform for you to connect with the committee and contribute any information you have that could enhance the historical collection.
Share your storyItem List
Welcome Message from the History Room
On behalf of the Historical Society of Ridgeland, I welcome you to the History Room....
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Congressional Record
Congressman Michael Guest surprised the City by presenting the Congressional Record in honor of the125th...
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Matt Dodd & Nancy Batson Holding History Brochure Map & Basket Of History Brochures
2016 Enlarged Brochure Map: Matt Dodd, City Landscape Architect /designer of map; Nancy Batson,Chair, Historical...
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Collection Of Photo Albums
Visitors of the History Room can take a look back in time through pages of...
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Sturdivant Family Photo Album & Description
Bill and Virginia Sturdivant moved to Ridgeland in 1946 with their daughter, Joy. Another daughter,...
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Historical Society Of Ridgeland – Formation Meeting
On September 24, 2009, Sandra Monohan, then Community Promotions Coordinator, organized theformation meeting of the...
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Historical Society Of Ridgeland – 2013
The Historical Society of Ridgeland – circa 2013: L-R, back: Cecil Snodgrass, Gerald Steen, Robby...
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Pecan Grove At Freedom Ridge Park & Tree History
Pecan Grove at Freedom Ridge Park: In honor of Ridgeland’s designation as a Tree City...
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State Senate Resolution For 125th Anniversary
In March 2024, the Mississippi Senate and House recognized Ridgeland’s 125th anniversary with aResolution that...
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Blough, Stewart, Henderson,Jenkins: Rag Doll W/description
The rag doll was made by Ruth Henderson Jenkins for the Methodist Pazarre in the...
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Clifton & Ash Plantation Families: Richardson Home Article
An article regarding Hillview, the 101-year old residence of Mr. and Ms. Joe Ellis Richardson.
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Clifton & Ash Plantation Families: Family Photo In Car
A family photo taken at the Ash Plantation around 1918 – 1919.
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Clifton & Ash Plantation Families
Group photos
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Ridgeland Mayors
Composite photos of Ridgeland Mayors since the founding
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Drawing Of Post Office
Artwork by R. Cunningham of former Ridgeland Post Office
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125th Anniversary City Proclamation & Ridgeland Life Magazine
The City of Ridgeland is celebrating the 125th anniversary this year (2024). Ridgeland was incorporatedas...
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Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 551
The February 17, 1999 Mississippi Senate Resolution recognizing Ridgeland’s centennial anniversary.
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Blough, Stewart, Henderson, Jenkins: Family Photo
As a teen laborer in 1883, Samuel Blough came to Ridgeland from Indiana after a...
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Blough, Stewart, Henderson, Jenkins: Photo Of Couple
A wedding photo of John Blough and Mamie Jenkins on May 16, 1908.
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First Families Description
The Ridgeland Historical Society is proud to showcase and honor the first families of Ridgeland....
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Cowbell
A cowbell used on milk farms at that time.
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Clifton/ash Plantation House Photo & House Description: Families – Clifton, Ash, Murrell, Tucker, Vaughn, & Richardson
The house was built by Dr. Matthew Ash in about 1878 replacing his large home...
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Cozair Family – Photo – Family
Ivadell & Ray Coziar, Carol & Kenny Coziar in 1952: The Coziar family came to...
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Coziar Family: House & HouseDescription
The home was built by Ray Coziar in 1948 and was torn down in the...
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Coziar Family: Essay
Essay about Ridgeland: written by Carol Coziar; Madison Ridgeland School (1947 – 48)
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State Of Mississippi – M.b. Ridgeway, Mayor, Town Of Ridgeland
The Mississippi Secretary of State Certificate recognizing M.B. Ridgeway as Mayor of the Town ofRidgeland...
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Ridgeway & Butler Families: Truesdale & Family
Harold and Jean Butler relocated their family from Jackson to the rural area in west...
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Ridgeway & Butler Families: Mayor Ridgeway
Mayor M.B. Ridgeway with Canton Exchange Bank President, Frank Allen in 1962.
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Ridgeway & Butler Families: Pole Barn
In 1963, Harold Butler built a pole barn, milk parlor and began Moonlight Dairy. He...
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Clay Bowl
Deep South Pottery Bowl: The bowl was presented to sponsors in 2010 as a thank...
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Black & White Antique Store
Artwork by Skip MacDonald of the antique store in Old Town
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Cypress Bench
The cypress bench was donated to the Historical Society of Ridgeland by Jim and Nancy...
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Wesley Chapel Stained Glass
A piece of the stained glass from the church. The historic Wesley Chapel was destroyed...
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Telling Ridgeland’s Story Article
A 2023 article from Ridgeland Life Magazine regarding the historic Wesley Chapel. Ridgeland Lifemagazine is...
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CARS IN FRONT OF CHURCH
A photo of the Wesley Chapel. (Circa 1950s)
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Ridgeland Methodist Church Program
A Ridgeland Methodist Church program – later known as Wesley Chapel.
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Carr Homestead
A photo of the Carr homestead circa 1920s.
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Carr Home 1912
A photo of the Carr home in 1912.
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Harvey Carr Article
A Northside Sun article from 2012 regarding Harvey Carr, Sr.
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Missouri Harris Cummings
Family photo: This photo was taken in front of her two story house that stood...
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Northside Sun Article
A 2015 article regarding Eloise Gilbert.
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Harris Family Early 1890s
A Harris family photo from the early 1890s.
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Eloise Gilbert & Family
Photos of the Harris, Cummings, and Gilbert families: Patience Harris, an enslaved person owned byJames...
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Six Generations Of The Carr Family
Photo of the Carr family – six generations
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Jack Carr’s Watch
Jack Carr’s watch (1915)
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John Wesley Carr With Granddaughter
A photo of John Wesley Carr with his granddaughter, Rosa Carr Klass
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Old Postcards
postcards
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First Generation Carr Family In Ridgeland
A Carr family photo.
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Carr Family
A Carr family photo.
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The Cummings Family
A Cummings family photo.
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Harris-coleman Family Reunion
A photo of the Harris-Coleman family reunion in 1981.
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Johnny, Mary, Mary, Curtis…
A Gilbert family photo.
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Carr Family Description
Answering an advertisement in 1899 for a work opportunity placed by the highland colony company,John...
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John Carr Glasses
John Wesley Carr’s glasses (1898 – 1910)
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Mayor Gene Mcgee & Harvey Carr, Sr.
A photo of Mayor Gene McGee and Harvey Carr, Sr. on April 19, 2012 –...
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Gold Key
Harvey Carr, Sr.’s Key to the City
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Harvey Carr, Sr. & Robby Carr
A photo of Harvey Carr, Sr. and Robby Carr the day that Harvey Carr, Sr....
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Lena Rodgers & Sawmill
Carr family photos
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Jackson Street Postcard
A postcard of Jackson Street from 1914.
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Distinquished Mayors Article
An article regarding Ridgeland’s distinguished mayors. This article indicates the links between the Harris,Cummings, and...
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Ada, Viola, Robert, Elois & Mary
A photo of the Harris, Cummings, and Gilbert families.
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Mark Millet Christmas Tree Artwork & Description
A limited edition artwork by Mark Millet for the Christmas Tree Lighting event in 2019.
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Carr Family Article
This 2007 article is from The Madison County Herald. The Carr family came to the...
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Mayor’s Docket
MAYORS DOCKET–Criminal Cases: VILLAGE OF RIDGELAND, MS (1901 – 1954)
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Black Community Article
This article tells how the Harris family came to Mississippi as enslaved persons with J....
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Eloise Gilbert, Fran Lusk, & HarveyCarr, Sr.
Neighbors and descendants of Ridgeland’s First Families, Eloise Gilbert and Harvey Carr, Sr. greet eachother...
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Yellowley Bill Of Sale
The 1848 document showing sale of land, tools, livestock, and enslaved persons from J.B. Yellowley...
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2nd Choctaw District
This plat, made in 1822, shows the eastern part of the Choctaw District. Much of...
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Choctaw District
This plat, made in 1825, shows the Choctaw District and the location of the Agency...
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Ridgeland Plat
The firm of Koehler and Keele, civil engineers, certified this map for the Town of...
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Jackson Evening News
This April 1896 edition of the Jackson Evening News tells of the coming of “home...
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1-17-55 Aerial View Of Ridgeland
An aerial view of the Town of Ridgeland taken in 1955 when the population was...
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Town Hall On Jackson St July 4, 1918
A picture taken in front of Town Hall on Jackson Street, July 4, 1918. L-...
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Strawberry Flat & Tools
A strawberry flat, vegetable ties, and tools used on the Carr family farm.
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Jack Carr’s Sawmill
A photo of Jack Carr’s sawmill – circa 1920’s
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Carr Family Deed
Answering an advertisement in 1899 for a work opportunity placed by the highland colony company,John...
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Fire Helmet
1972 Assistant Chief Helmet: three bugles (nozzles) indicate Assistant Chief
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Cloth Fire Department Volunteer Uniform Patch
Ridgeland Fire Department volunteer uniform patch
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Old Fire House And Equipment
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Steve Thomas And Mark Hardy
A newspaper clip from the Madison County Journal on December 12, 2009: Steve Thomas and...
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Badge
Ridgeland Fire Department Badge
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Red Telephone
The phone used for a previous dedicated emergency line.
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Ridgeland Fire Department – Monitor Radio System & Article
March 14, 1984 article in a local newspaper: Fire Chief Kerry Minninger brought equipment to...
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1980 Annual Report
The City of Ridgeland 1980 Annual Report
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Vote For Continued Progress
Get out the Vote Flyer
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Old Agency Road
A current photo of Old Agency Road.
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Old Agency Road Marker
Old Agency Road: Named for the Choctaw Indian Agency once located in this area. Old...
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Old Agency Corridor Preservation District
The City of Ridgeland adopted the Old Agency Road Corridor Preservation District as Section 320...
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Gail Pittman Plate
In 1992, Gail Pittman moved Gail Pittman Designs to Ridgeland, and she eventually employed more...
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Choctaw Ornament
The beaded Christmas ornament was made by a Choctaw craftsmen and presented to the HistoricalSociety...
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Beaded Choctaw Jewelry/baskets
Choctaw baskets and beaded jewelry are on loan from the permanent collection of the CraftsmensGuild...
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Choctaw Woman & Write-up
In the early 16th century before white society’s great thrust toward the Pacific, the Choctaw...
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National Park Service Grand Opening
Event Promotional Flyer of the Information Center – September 12, 2009
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Christmas Ornanment
2007 City of Ridgeland Christmas Ornament
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Natchez Trace Parkway Information Center
The Parkway Information Center at the Ridgeland cabin is located at milepost 102.4 off the...
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Crystal Ashtray
Gift item
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Bible
This Bible was given to Mayor Gene McGee by his mother-in-law, Mrs. Winston (Kathryn Belle)...
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Greenwood Plantation Book
This book is given to residents of the current residential development that was previously the...
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Greenwood Plantation Photo
Greenwood Plantation was built in 1854 by the cotton planter Colonel William Fenil Battley, Sr....
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Historical Marker Located On Jackson Street
What is now the City of Ridgeland was first settled in 1832 when William Austin...
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City Of Ridgeland Logo
The basis of the City logo is the geological ridge where the area was first...
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Original Official Seal
Original Official Seal of the City of Ridgeland
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Highland Colony Booklet
The Ridgeland Operation Report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978 – the same...
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Mayor Gene Mcgee’s Pen
Mayor McGee has used this pen to sign numerous documents and ordinances for the City...
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Nov 6, 2020 Railroad District Photo
City officials gathered at The Plaza at Old Town Crossing to celebrate the renaming of...
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Gavel
Ridgeland Planning Commission Gavel
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Gail Pittman Painted Platter
In 1992, Gail Pittman moved Gail Pittman Designs to Ridgeland, and she eventually employed more...
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Gail Pittman Photo & Description
In 1992, Gail Pittman moved Gail Pittman Designs to Ridgeland, and she eventually employed more...
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Gail Pittman Clock Tower
In 1992, Gail Pittman moved Gail Pittman Designs to Ridgeland, and she eventually employed more...
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Chocktaw Baskets
Mississippi Choctaw Basketry by Choctaw members of the Craftsmen Guild of Mississippi: Choctawwomen still weave...
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Antique Store Painting In Old TownRidgeland
This painting of the antique store in Old Town is by local artist, Mark Millet....
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Pottery
In the early 1990’s native Mississippian, Vickie Carroll, established a premium line of pottery inRidgeland,...
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Mississippi Secretary Of State Formation Document
December 29, 1899 formation document with petitioner signatures
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Mississippi Secretary Of State Formation Document
The official document signed by Secretary of State, J. L. Power, certifying the incorporation of...
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Historical Society Of Ridgeland Logo
The official logo of the Historical Society of Ridgeland: The Society was formed in 2009....
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Mississippi Secretary Of State 1899 Formation Document
Incorporation of the Village of Ridgeland – December 29, 1899
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Historical Committee Of Ridgeland Formation Photo
In October, 2017, Mayor Gene McGee and the Board of Aldermen approved the formation of...
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Podium
The Podium was formerly used for meetings at the old City Hall located at 304...
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History room guest book
The Guest Book cover was donated in January 2021 by Nancy Batson, History Committee Chair...
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Resources at a Glance
