Laurel history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the city of Laurel dates back to 1882. The settlement initially emerged as a humble logging camp in the heart of the dense forests of Mississippi. The city received its poetic name thanks to the thickets of mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) that grew in abundance in this territory. Laurel received official city status somewhat later, when the temporary camp transformed into a fully-fledged settlement.

Key Factors of Development

Laurel's rapid development from a small settlement into a thriving city was driven by a fortunate combination of natural resources and entrepreneurial initiative:

• Geography and Natural Resources: The city is located in a region known for its vast forests of yellow pine. It was timber that became the "gold mine" for the local economy.
• Railway Connection: The construction of the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad in the 1880s connected the region with major sales markets, making timber exports profitable.
• Industrial Boom: The arrival of entrepreneurs from Iowa, the Eastman and Gardiner families, led to the opening of the first major sawmill in 1893, which gave a powerful impetus to the growth of the population and infrastructure.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the early 20th century, Laurel was unofficially called the "Yellow Pine Capital of the World". Economic prosperity, based on wood processing, allowed the city to develop not spontaneously, but according to a plan. Unlike many typical industrial towns of that time, Laurel was built with aesthetics and comfort in mind.

Thanks to the influence and investments of the founding families, paved streets, electric lighting, and public parks appeared early in the city. The architectural appearance of the centre was formed under the influence of urban planning ideas popular at the time, laying the foundation for the rich cultural heritage that the city preserves to this day.

City Development Timeline

• 1882 — Foundation of the settlement as a logging camp following the completion of the railway connecting the region to New Orleans.
• 1893 — Opening of the Eastman-Gardiner Lumber Company, which became the catalyst for transforming the camp into an industrial city.
• Early 1900s — Active improvement of the city, including the construction of parks and public buildings, thanks to the "yellow pine" economic boom.
• 1923 — Opening of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, which became the first art museum in the state of Mississippi.
• 1924 — William Mason invented a method for producing high-density hardboard, known as Masonite, in Laurel.
• 1925 — Launch of the Masonite Corporation factory, which became the largest employer and took the city's industry to a new level.
• 1940s — The discovery of oil fields in the vicinity of the city contributed to the diversification of the local economy.
• 1987 — Laurel's Central Historic District was listed on the US National Register of Historic Places thanks to its unique architecture.
• 2016 — Premiere of a national TV show dedicated to the restoration of historic homes in Laurel, which sparked a new wave of tourist interest in the city.

Stages of City Formation and Transformation

Laurel's history is an example of how competent resource management and the residents' love for their home can turn a temporary workers' settlement into a cultural centre of the region. Below are the key milestones that defined the modern look of the city:

• The "Yellow Pine Capital" Era (1893–1920s)
  The opening of the Eastman-Gardiner sawmill turned Laurel into one of the largest logging centres in the world.
  Significance: This period provided the economic foundation of the city, allowing capital to be accumulated for the construction of wealthy mansions and public infrastructure that serves residents to this day.
• "City Beautiful" Urban Planning Concept (Early 20th Century)
  Unlike many industrial cities, Laurel was built according to a plan involving landscape architects. Parks and squares were laid out, and avenues were planted.
  Significance: This formed a unique, cosy atmosphere and aesthetics in the centre, which today attracts tourists and filmmakers.
• Cultural Breakthrough: Lauren Rogers Museum (1923)
  Foundation of the state's first art museum by the Rogers family.
  Significance: The institution became the cultural anchor of the city, housing world-class collections (including Native American baskets and European paintings), which is atypical for small Southern cities.
• William Mason's Industrial Revolution (1924)
  Invention of a method for producing hardboard (Masonite) from sawmill waste.
  Significance: When primary forest reserves were depleted, the Masonite Corporation plant saved the city from economic decline by creating thousands of jobs and a new industry for decades to come.
• Economic Diversification (1940s)
  Discovery of oil in Jones County and the development of related infrastructure.
  Significance: This allowed the city to survive crises in the woodworking industry and strengthen the financial stability of the region in the middle of the century.
• Media Success and Revitalization (2016 – Present)
  Launch of the popular TV show about the restoration of historic homes, Home Town.
  Significance: The show caused a real tourism boom and a wave of people moving to Laurel. Large-scale restoration of the historic centre began, along with the opening of new small businesses, cafes, and shops, breathing new life into the city.

Urban Planning Concept and Development

Unlike many industrial cities of the South that emerged spontaneously, Laurel developed as a planned project under the strong influence of the "City Beautiful" movement. In the early 20th century, city leaders attracted renowned landscape architects, including specialists from the firm of Frederick Law Olmsted (creator of Central Park in New York). Thanks to this, wide shady avenues, a park system, and harmonious zoning appeared in Laurel, defining its cosy and respectable appearance.

Architectural Styles and Historical Eras

The city's development clearly illustrates the economic upswings of the region. Laurel's architectural palette varies from the opulent mansions of "lumber barons" to functional buildings of the industrialisation era.

• Turn of the 19th–20th Centuries — Queen Anne Style (Victorian Era):
  The early period of the city's development. The style is characterised by asymmetry, the presence of turrets, bay windows, and rich wooden decor. These houses reflect the first successes of the local elite.
• 1900–1920s — Neoclassicism and Colonial Revival:
  Laurel's "Golden Age". The grandest residences in the city were built in these styles. They are characterised by monumental porticoes with columns, strict symmetry, and grandeur, intended to emphasise the wealth of the lumber industrialists.
• 1910–1930s — Craftsman and Bungalow:
  The style of the growing middle class. Houses with low pitched roofs, wide eaves, and spacious verandas formed the appearance of residential quarters for workers and engineers.
• 1920–1940s — Art Deco and Modernism:
  Period of centre modernisation. Commercial and public buildings of this time are distinguished by geometric forms, stylised ornaments, and the use of new materials, symbolising progress and industrial power.

Iconic Buildings and Districts

The architectural heritage of the city is concentrated in several key locations that form its unique atmosphere:

• Laurel Central Historic District: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The district, especially along 5th, 6th, and 7th Avenues, represents a true encyclopaedia of early 20th-century American residential architecture.
• Lauren Rogers Museum of Art (1923): A standard of Georgian Revival. The building stands out for its elegant brickwork, classical proportions, and restrained decor, serving as the main cultural symbol of the city.
• Arabian Theatre (1927): A unique example of Jazz Age eclecticism. The building combines elements of Moorish style with Art Deco details, being one of the main architectural landmarks of the centre.
• First National Bank Building: The city's first high-rise building, which became a symbol of the financial success of the "yellow pine" era and formed the silhouette of the business centre.

Famous Natives and Residents

Laurel has given the world many talented people whose names are known far beyond the borders of Mississippi. From the opera stage to Olympic podiums, the contribution of these individuals to culture and history is undeniable.

• Leontyne Price
  Opera Singer (Soprano)
  One of the most decorated opera singers of the 20th century. Price became the first African American to achieve the status of prima donna at the famous Metropolitan Opera in New York. Winner of 19 Grammy Awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
• William H. Mason
  Inventor and Industrialist
  Although he was not born in Laurel, it was here that Mason made his main discovery. In 1924, he invented a method for producing durable hardboard — Masonite. The Masonite Corporation he founded became the economic engine of the city for many decades.
• Erin and Ben Napier
  TV Hosts and Restorers
  Modern symbols of the city, hosts of the popular HGTV show "Home Town". Thanks to their work restoring historic homes, Laurel has experienced a true tourism and economic renaissance in the 21st century.
• Lance Bass
  Singer and Producer
  Member of the legendary pop group *NSYNC, which gained worldwide fame in the late 1990s. Bass was born in Laurel and often highlights his Southern origins in public appearances.
• Ralph Boston
  Track and Field Athlete
  1960 Olympic champion in the long jump. Boston became the first person in the world to break the 8.2-metre (27 feet) barrier and set several world records, bringing glory to his hometown in the sports arena.
• Parker Posey
  Actress
  A Laurel native who received the unofficial title of "Queen of Indies" in the 90s. Known for her roles in independent films, as well as participation in major Hollywood projects.
• Mundell Lowe
  Jazz Guitarist and Composer
  An outstanding musician who worked with legends such as Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, and Frank Sinatra. Lowe made a significant contribution to the development of jazz music and was inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame.
• Tom Lester
  Actor
  Gained greatest fame thanks to the role of Eb Dawson in the popular American sitcom "Green Acres". Before his acting career, he worked as a teacher in Oklahoma, but always maintained a connection with his native Laurel.