History of Hattiesburg

Hattiesburg was founded by William Harris Hardy, a Civil War veteran who became an attorney and was involved in the development of a rail line from Chattanooga to Meridian. He then wanted to develop a line that would connect Meridian to New Orleans. The railroad, the New Orleans and Northwestern, appointed him to survey the line. He chose station sites on the line and the present location of the city for a station. The city was laid out in 1883. He named the city after his wife Hattie, who as far as anybody knows, never visited Hattiesburg. Corine, Adeline, and Mamie streets were named after his daughters. Hattiesburg's nickname - the Hub City - dates back to the railroad days. The city was in the middle of a wheel that included New Orleans, Gulfport, Mobile and Jackson. The same holds true today, although the rails have all but given way to asphalt. The entire 11-county area around Hattiesburg is called the Pine Belt. That dates back to the late 1800's, when this part of the state was first settled. It was an area dominated by pine timber, a virtual belt of pines across the state. Timber fueled the local economy well into the 20th century. These days, the economy is fueled by manufacturing, retail sales and medical services, along with remnants of the timber industry, a smidgen of oil and of course, the university. (Pine Belt Preview 1997 Hattiesburg American)

[from http://www.phototour.com/hattiesburghistory.html]