Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Located in the southern part of the state, on HWY 59 (between New Orleans, LA and Birmingham, AL) and HWY 49 (between Jackson, MS and Gulfport, MS). It was settled as a lumber camp in the latter part of the nineteenth century and chiefly founded by a Captain William Harris Hardy. The main thoroughfaire through town, Hardy Street, still bears his name. He named the town Hattiesburg, after his wife Hattie. If you translate the burg portion, you're in Hattie's Castle. We're the only Hattiesburg in the entire world.
The town is known locally as The Hub City from the heyday of the railway system. We were a centralized location to other areas and only about a two hour trip to the big cities of Natchez, Gulfport, and Jackson in Mississippi, New Orleans in Louisiana and Mobile in Alabama. We still call our self The Hub City though the rail line is practically dead (as one can not take a direct train from here to any of those places listed except New Orleans). We're also known as The Birth Place of Rock and Roll. Nobody said this of us, we just started saying it of ourselves. It's because the Graves Brothers; Blind Roosevelt and Uaroy recorded some tunes here in the thirties, with the songs having, apparently, the first hints of actual rock and roll? Founded/Incorporated: 1882/1884
Population: 46,846 Encompasses: The areas of Hattiesburg, West Hattiesburg, with some portions of South & North Hwy 49, as well as The University of Southern Mississippi (USM). Climate: Humid Subtropical; short, mild winters & hot, humid summers. Snowfall is rare. Average Yearly Rainfall: 61 mm |
Points of Interest
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