Where the Road Leads: Meandering Around Meridian

A lost button, an encounter with a rude roadster, and a tiny toddler tantrum didn't stand in our way of a great day on the road. 

Equipped with dual DVD players, On Star navigation, plenty of snacks, and a bag of toys we (two toddlers, one adolescent, myself, and a very brave co-pilot) headed out to the quaint little town of Meridian.


Our first stop was roadside in Marion at Simmons Wrecker Service where we spotted "Cars" stars Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater.

After the excitement of meeting celebrities we headed to Meridian's Highland Park for a relaxing (but scorching) picnic. A few minutes of play left us all dripping with sweat and ready for a blast of air conditioning.

A short walk away we visited the only remaining original carousel house built from a Dentzel blueprint.

Inside the house we were able to cool and enjoy the nostalgia of an original Dentzel Carousel. A mere fifty cents bought us a ride on this masterpiece and a blast into the past.

The carousel was built in 1896 by Gustav Dentzel for the 1904 St. Louis Exposition in his Philadelphia, Pennsylvania factory.

It was purchased by the town of Meridian in 1909 and found it's home in Highland Park.

It is now the only two-row stationary Dentzel menagerie carousel in the WORLD.

The park, the carousel, and carousel house are listed on the National Historic registry.

A seventeen mile trip on the outskirts of the town led us to another piece of history (also on the registry of historic places), the Causeyville General Store.

The general store and gristmill have been in operation since 1895. The gristmill is currently being renovated due to damage from Hurricane Katrina but the General Store is open for business.

Filled with antiques, original movie posters, and an actual quarter operated bar piano it was a very interesting visit. 

Dunn's Falls located on the Chunky River in Enterprise was our final stop.

John Dunn homesteaded the area in 1854 and constructed a three story mill. His machinery and building was confiscated in 1860 by the confederate government and was used to manufacture items for the rebel army.

After the war John Dunn and his mill continued to produce flour, meal, hats, and money. It also became a prominent spot for community parties and dances. 

John Dunn's fate remains a mystery but his handiwork can still be seen and enjoyed atop one of Mississippi's most beautiful natural waterfalls.