The History of Merrehope

Built circa 1859

One of the first settlers in Meridian, Richard McLemore, owned 700 acres where Merrehope now stands. In 1859, he deeded 160 acres to his daughter, Juriah, as a wedding gift. She and her husband, W. H. Jackson, built a Greek Revival cottage in 1859. This cottage is the original part of Merrehope. In December 1863, during the War between the States, General Leonidas Polk, a former Episcopal Bishop of Louisiana, moved into the cottage with his family and used the cottage as his Confederate headquarters. Polk was called the “fighting bishop” during this time. General Polk was commander of troops who were charged with defending the east Mississippi area. On February 14, 1864, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman came in with approximately 10,000 troops and forced Polk and his troops to evacuate Meridian. Sherman took over and burned almost all of Meridian and destroyed the railroad lines for ten miles in each direction, making “Sherman Neckties”. Polk and his troops had already destroyed much of the rail in order to keep Sherman and his army from using them. Nevertheless, Merrehope remained standing.

General Polk and some of his troops evacuated to the east near Alamucha. Some of the troops and most of Polk’s equipment as well as the railroad “rolling stock” were sent southward by rail to Mobile. The last train car pulled out of Meridian as Sherman was marching in. Merrehope changed hands in 1868, and between 1868 and 1881, it was owned by John Gary. This owner, a cotton broker, remodeled the home and added the ruby-etched glass around the front door, the double parlor, the library and four rooms upstairs. The remodeling was done in the Italianate style.

Between 1881 and 1903, a coal dealer, Mr. J. C. Lloyd, his wife, and thirteen children lived in the home. Although Mr. Lloyd had lost an arm during the War, he helped to start the first school system in Lauderdale County. He owned a jewelry store and was also the City Clerk for the town of Meridian. Between 1903 and 1915, a wealthy cotton broker from Shubuta, Sam Floyd, took ownership of the home, adding the front columns, suspended balcony, five bathrooms, and the walnut hand-carved stairway. Floyd also added electricity to the home. He also built the dining room, the morning room, and two bedrooms upstairs. The style of architecture was transformed to neoclassical by this owner. From 1915 until 1968, the home was converted into rental property, then it became a boarding house. Finally, it was divided into eight apartments. In 1968, five women were traveling to a Federated Women’s Club meeting in Enterprise. One woman said, “We really need a place in Meridian for all of our clubs to meet.” They all agreed, and another woman added, “I know just the place, that home over on 31st Avenue is about to be destroyed, and it is too beautiful to lose.” With that thought, a vision, and lots of determination, The Meridian Restorations Foundation was formed by the members of the nine Federated Women’s Clubs of Meridian. They purchased the home, and the lengthy restoration process was begun. Their dream became a reality. Today, the home is used for club meetings and is rented to the public for weddings, receptions, and parties. It is a tourist attraction and is open daily for tours.