Hattiesburg, Mississippi founded 1882, originally called Twin Forks, later called Gordonville, and in 1884 with a standing population of 400 was oficially changed and finalized by its Founder Captain William H. Hardy, in honor of his wife Hattie.
Hattiesburg also known as the “HUB CITY” intersects US highways 49, 98, and 11, and interstate 59. Economic growth and expansion has forded Hattiesburg, Mississippi the fastest growing area in the Southeast.
In the late 1800’s the Timber industry was wide open. Known for Mills, Turpentine stills, and Naval stores set up in the neighboring areas. The Meridia Railway ran through Hattiesburg down to New Orleans. The 1915 mobilization of the military in World War II at Camp Shelby, until the growth of the 90’s were a poor time. After World War I, Hattiesburg found new and diverse ways to restore the economy and strengthen its boundaries once again.
Hattiesburg was second to none in nurturing a progressive and economically healthy community with its quality of life. Livability in Hattiesburg had been recognized nationally for the healthcare, retirement, and business relocation.
Economic strength in Hattiesburg ranked 68th among 313 metropolitan areas in the United States. Nationally she ranked 42nd in business expansion and relocation. Hattiesburg’s retirement program was listed amongst the 150 most desireable retirement communities in the United States and was featured on the front page of the New York Times Newspaper May, 24, 1997 for their quality of life, cultural opposition, and state of the art Medical Facilities. Hatties burg was also featured on NBC’s Show in 1997 regarding the retirement programs.
Labor Day Weekend 2005 Hurricane Katrina made landfall and hit the Gulf States of Louisiana, and Missippi. Although Hattiesburg is situated 70 miles away from the Gulf Coast, the storm still reeked havoc on the town and left people homeless. Businesses were lost as well.
Some of the people have relocated from the state of disaster. Most have stayed and are planning on rebuilding the area to preserve the way of livability once more. Architects have gone into the area and have already started plans for rebuilding. Businesses are setting up once again, and the livelyhood of Hattiesburg will be restored back to its ways of before the storm. Hattiesburg built up years ago after the wars, and will enable itself with the help of the people to be a haven for business and retirement and the valued Medical facilities of days gone by.