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Hattiesburg Main StreetThe Hub
Back in the 1880's while being surveyed for a rail spur between New Orleans and Meridian (Southern Railway System), Capt William Harris Hardy had the foresight to see the area's potential. With the imminent railroad and the Leaf River providing transportation channels, the rich forest gave birth to a strong lumber industry. Capt. Hardy named the town Hattiesburg after his wife Hattie.
However in more recent times, Hattiesburg has earned the moniker of the "Hub" due to is location on the crossroads of the major rail lines connecting the cities of Jackson, Meridian, Mobile, Gulfport, New Orleans and Natchez.
Hattiesburg has lived the life of a humble and average American town. It grew on the lumber business, but now has a mixture of industries. It is also the home to the University of Southern Mississippi.
Ever slow growing, Hattiesburg is still a relatively common and average American town. Comfortable enough, but nothing terribly special. Just a few miles south is Camp Shelby, the largest reserve component training site in the country.
Also, particularly after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the city has witnessed a growth of about 15,000 people who left the coastal areas of Biloxi and New Orleans.
Having worked in Biloxi for many weeks, I come up to Hattiesburg on weekends to explore the area.
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