As the turn-of-the-century brought the next generation of restless, progressive entrepreneurs leaving their homes in the Midwest to carve out a new home, the population centered on Laurel where the sawmills saw blacks and whites working side-by-side, a growing middle class of merchants arise, Mississippi’s first museum built and the first public school for African-American children established.
Eastman, Gardiner & Co. Building
Eastman, Gardiner & Company sawmill plant occupied 26,000 acres of timberland on the south side of downtown Laurel, Mississippi from 1891 until 1937. The Eastman, Gardiner & Company plant contained… Continue reading Eastman, Gardiner & Co. Building
Hotel Pinehurst
Constructed in 1914, the Hotel Pinehurst was owned and operated by T.B. Horton until 1939. The hotel included over 100 rooms, a grand lobby and entranceway, and a number of… Continue reading Hotel Pinehurst
Laurel Machine and Foundry
Today, Laurel Machine & Foundry Co. operates as a general contract shop, offering a full range of services including: Company History 1904 – Laurel Machine and Foundry Co. established as a… Continue reading Laurel Machine and Foundry
Lauren Rogers Museum of Art
The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art opened in 1923 to commemorate Lauren Eastman Rogers, son and grandson to prominent founding fathers of Laurel, MS. Following Lauren Roger’s untimely death in… Continue reading Lauren Rogers Museum of Art
Leontyne Price
Mary Violet Leontyne Price was born on February 10, 1927, in Laurel, Mississippi, to James Anthony Price, a carpenter, and Kate Baker Price, a midwife with a beautiful singing voice.… Continue reading Leontyne Price
Lindsey Eight Wheel Log Wagon Company
After John Lindsey patented the Lindsey Eight Wheel Log Wagon in 1899, he and his brother, S.W. Lindsey, moved to Laurel, Mississippi where they organized the Lindsey Wagon Company. While… Continue reading Lindsey Eight Wheel Log Wagon Company
Masonite International Corporation
Masonite International Corporation is a leading manufacturer of doors and door components, based in Mississauga, Canada. Approximately two-thirds of sales come from interior doors. All told, the company each day… Continue reading Masonite International Corporation
New Orleans & Northeastern Rail Road
The idea of a railroad running the 196 miles between Meridian and New Orleans was conceived by William H. Hardy. In his autobiography, Hardy explains his dream: “In 1868, while… Continue reading New Orleans & Northeastern Rail Road
Oak Park School
The lumber barons of Laurel differed from other mill owners in the region in another quite important manner. Whereas many of the other mill owners were content to rely on… Continue reading Oak Park School
1862-1875
The New State of Jones rests upon the notion that there exists an “old” State of Jones. However, you do not have to lose one to embrace the other. A restless, some may say rebellious, spirit stirs from the first generations who settled in Jones County near Ellisville and seceded from the Confederacy to create the Free State of Jones.
1882-1950
As the turn-of-the-century brought the next generation of restless, progressive entrepreneurs leaving their homes in the Midwest to carve out a new home, the population centered on Laurel where the sawmills saw blacks and whites working side-by-side, a growing middle class of merchants arise, Mississippi’s first museum built and the first public school for African-American children established.
1950-PRESENT
Today, this subtle, rebellious spirit of her residents still lies under the surface as young families forsake the ubiquitous surroundings of large, suburban cities for a slower pace of life. Never has it been more evident with the majority of growth realized by self-made, multi generational companies and world-class corporations who call Jones County home.
