A SPRIG OF LAUREL, MISSISSIPPI (Mark)

Laurel, Mississippi is home to the oldest art museum in Mississippi.  Approximately 18,000 people live in town, and it is the county seat for Jones County.  In 1881 the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad was laid down, and in 1882 the town started growing around the railroad.  The main reason for the town was a primitive sawmill, which processed the native longleaf yellow pine.

More recently the town has become known due to a television show called Home Town.

Those of you that have seen the show might recognize the shop where part of the work is filmed.

As seen from outside the shop, it is within a few feet of the railroad line, and when the train comes through you put conversation on hold until it is gone.

In the 1940’s a musician named “Blind” Roosevelt Graves would sit on the steps of the Lott building by the railway station and play the blues.  He was credited with being a major influence on other blues musicians.  Passengers would listen to him while the train was at the station being refueled. 

If you stand on the viewing platform below this sign you can look down and wave at the engineer of the trains passing by.  You can also sit on the deck and have a slice of pizza from the semi-permanent food truck parked nearby. 

The town has a number of murals on the walls both new and old.  The downtown area is built up more than many other towns of this era due to the money coming in both from the lumber industry and the railroad.

Interesting use of an Airstream trailer - it is part of an interior courtyard between the building and the wall.  I believe it houses a small restaurant, food-truck type business

A newer sign advertising a business, but done in the old style.

An interesting sign which reminds me of a theater sign.  When the building was new the owner was obviously proud of his building.

Even the library has a mural.  Unfortunately the library was closed today and I was not able to look inside.  I enjoy looking in libraries and seeing how different ones are set up.  We enjoy our local library in North Carolina, and use it on a very regular basis.

Interesting doorway on a building down by the tracks.

Looking back on a little slice of Laurel from the elevated platform by the train tracks.  If you are in the area it is worth the time to explore the town.