William Harris Hardy was an American businessman who founded the Mississippi cities of Hattiesburg, Laurel, and Gulfport.
William H. Hardy Monument in Gulfport, Mississippi
Image: William Harris Hardy Historical Marker
Hattiesburg is the 5th most populous city in the U.S. state of Mississippi, located primarily in Forrest County and extending west into Lamar County. The city population was 45,989 at the 2010 census, with the population now being 48,730 in 2020. Hattiesburg is the principal city of the Hattiesburg Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses Covington, Forrest, Lamar, and Perry counties. The city is located in the Pine Belt region.
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Front Street, c. 1900
The now-demolished Hotel Hattiesburg opened in 1906 at the corner of Pine and Mobile streets. The elegant hotel was constructed and owned by Joseph T. Jones, owner of the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad.
Union Station, c. 1910