About this city
Also known as: The Queen City
Strategically positioned in eastern Mississippi near the Alabama border, Meridian is the state's eighth-largest city and the county seat of Lauderdale County. Established in 1860 at the vital junction of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad and the Southern Railway of Mississippi, the city was virtually destroyed by General Sherman during the Civil War but rebuilt so rapidly it became Mississippi's largest city between 1890 and 1930. This golden era endowed Meridian with an incredibly wealthy urban core, boasting lavish opera houses, grand historic skyscraper hotels, and majestic rail stations. Today, Meridian coordinates a diverse economy centered on healthcare, military aviation through Naval Air Station Meridian, and advanced manufacturing, while serving as a prominent regional cultural arts capital.
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Economics & Local Vibe
Practical Tourism Metadata
Suggested stay: 1–2 days
Ride the rare, hand-carved animals of the historic 1904 Dentzel Carousel at Highland Park. Explore the state's cultural icons, state-of-the-art recording exhibits, and halls of fame at the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX). Catch a live performance or view the stunning architecture of the historic 1890 Grand Opera House.
