Hattiesburg, Mississippi is one of the largest cities in Mississippi. Located in the southern region, Hattiesburg is an economic powerhouse and has been growing rapidly for the last decade. Known as the “Hub City”, Hattiesburg is home to many businesses, small and large, and is jam packed with activities year round. But what are the origins of the name of this incredible city? It turns out that the way Hattiesburg got its name is comparable to a romance novel.
Hattiesburg was founded in 1882 by lumberman and engineer, William Hardy. William’s birthplace was in Collerine, Alabama on February 12, 1837. With quite an extensive career, Hardy studied education, law, and surveying. He served as the captain of Company H of the 16th Mississippi Regiment during the War Between the States.
In honor of Captain Hardy, one of the main streets that runs through Hattiesburg was named after him— the famous “Hardy Street.” The city, itself, was named after William’s second wife, Hattie Lott, whom he met while having lunch on a surveying trip in what is now downtown Hattiesburg (across from the United States Post Office). While resting on this trip, Captain Hardy studied a map of Mississippi. While considering plans to build a railroad that ran from the Mississippi Gulf Coast to Jackson, he marked off what is now known as Hattiesburg. He located a train station in the region and named it “Hattiesburg” in honor of the love of his life, Hattie Lott Hardy. The surrounding area adopted the name, and thus became the city we know and love today— Hattiesburg. Unfortunately, Mrs. Hattie never lived to visit the city that her husband endearingly named after her. William married again, roughly four years later; however, the legacy of his late wife has continued living on.
Historically, Hattiesburg has been known for its lumber and railroad industrial enterprises. The railroads that were developed during the early to mid 1880s initiated the lumber industry in this region. As a matter of fact, William Hardy was the mastermind behind the construction of a railroad that ran from Meridian, Mississippi to New Orleans, Louisiana. Today, Hattiesburg remains on the throne as one of the top cities where economic prosperity is occurring. Along with that, the city’s population is growing rapidly. According to Stacker.com (2022), Hattiesburg ranks among the top twenty cities in Mississippi with the fastest growth rate. The Hub City ranks eleventh among twenty major cities. It is the fifth largest metropolitan city in Mississippi and is a major college town, holding two renowned universities— The University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University. Additionally, it is home to Pearl River Community College.
If Mr. William and Mrs. Hattie were alive today, they’d marvel at what this city has become. It is said that he (William) was moved by Mrs. Hattie’s kindness and generous soul, which inspired his unwavering love for her and prompted him to marry her. It is evident that the gentleness of Mrs. Hattie lives on in every smile, kind gesture, and at each corner of every friendly neighborhood that occupies Hattiesburg. Hattiesburg is one of the largest and fastest growing cities in Mississippi; yet, it is engulfed with the small town charm that is oh-so familiar to us all.
