Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Meridian (Mississippi)

MERIDIAN, a city and county-seat of Lauderdale co., Miss., on the Queen and Crescent Route, the Southern, and the Mobile and Ohio railroads; 90 miles E. of Jackson. It contains Meridian Male College, Lincoln School, Meridian Female College, the Meridian Academy, electric lights, National and savings banks, and daily and weekly newspapers. Meridian is in the heart of a rich lumber region which accounts for its large trade. It has machine shops, cotton mills, and other manufactories. It was here on Feb. 16, 1864, that General Sherman made "the most complete destruction of railways ever held." Pop. (1910) 23,385; (1920) 23,399.