Editor’s Note: This post is written by a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.
Two states in the deep south of the United States, Alabama and Mississippi, are home to what is known as the HUB City network. The cities that comprise this network are: Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Jackson, Meridian, Mobile, Natchez, and New Orleans.
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, stands at the crossroads of the HUB City network, with Mobile to the Southeast, Gulfport to the south, New Orleans to the southwest, Natchez to the west, Jackson to the northwest, and Meridian to the Northeast.
But Hattiesburg is more than a hub in a network: it also stands as the cultural heart of the HUB City.
Boasting a diverse and rich public art scene, Hattiesburg has transformed its streets into canvases, murals into stories, and graffiti into a shared cultural voice. A visit to this HUB city promises a colorful display for art enthusiasts, locals, and wanderlust-filled visitors. To top it all off, there are some notable eateries and unique places for the RV traveler to stay.
The old downtown area of Hattiesburg is a treasure trove of architectural charm and history, offering a glimpse into the city’s dynamic past. When you stroll through the streets of this city, it feels like you’re taking a step back in time, with the area showcasing a blend of late 19th and early 20th-century architectural styles. It is near, and sometimes on, these diverse structures, you’ll see stunning public art displays.
The Canvas for Public Art at Hattiesburg: The Old City
Many structures in Hattiesburg date back to the boom years during the timber and railroad industrial era and reflect the craftsmanship of that period. One of the most striking architectural features is the prevalence of beautifully preserved brick facades on some buildings. You’ll see large arched windows, decorative cornices, and intricate stone or terra cotta detailing above doorways and windows. These elements highlight the influence of the Romanesque Revival and Victorian styles that were popular during the late 1800s.
The Saenger Theater is a crown jewel in the downtown landscape. Built in 1929, this theater is an Art Deco masterpiece and a testament to the elegance and innovation of its era. A restored marquee gleams brightly, drawing visitors to admire its ornate plasterwork, sweeping interiors, and vintage charm.
Another architectural highlight in the city is the old train depot, an icon that showcases the city’s deep connection to America’s industrial era railroads. The depot features a classic blend of utilitarian design and decorative embellishments, with its red brick exterior and spacious arched windows. The multiple tracks that crisscross at the station stand as a reminder of Hattiesburg’s historic role as a transportation hub in the region.
Historic churches in the downtown area also contribute to the diverse architectural narrative. Some buildings reflect Gothic Revival influences, with pointed arches and intricate stained-glass windows, while others are simpler, reflecting the understated beauty of early American ecclesiastical design. Adding to the charm are the old storefronts, which line the streets with large display windows and recessed entryways.
In this context, downtown Hattiesburg presents public art installations and murals on old buildings, creating a vibrant interplay between history and the present.
Hattiesburg’s downtown architecture is more than just visually captivating; it tells a story of resilience, growth, and cultural identity. For visitors, it’s a space where design meets history, making every step an exploration worth savoring.
The Art Revolution in Hattiesburg
The public art movement in Hattiesburg is by design. Government and private leaders collaborate with and support local artists to tell the story of this vibrant southern city. Artworks bridge historical divides and illuminate the collective struggles and triumphs of the city and its citizens over the years by showcasing visual stories of its history, culture, and people.
Social media campaigns by the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) combine with local business media promotions to promote Hattiesburg as an art tourism hub.
As you wander the streets of Hattiesburg to admire the artwork, you’ll visit local museums to learn more about the area’s culture and history. Nearby restaurants and cafes also benefit from these visitors, who stop for meals or coffee breaks. In this way, street art plays a crucial role in driving tourism and supporting local businesses.
Local Artists and Their Notable Works
The vibrancy of Hattiesburg’s street art is a testament to the talent that calls it home. Local artists portray their stories on the city’s walls, making their art a gift to the public. Their works, from the serene to the enigmatic, from the historical to the humorous, are ingrained in the city’s visual vocabulary and vital to its allure.
Local art creators are the heroes of Hattiesburg’s art movement, infusing their creations with emotion and story, inviting every passerby to stop, look, and ponder the messages the artwork suggests. It’s through their works that visitors can glimpse the city’s soul and understand why Hattiesburg’s streets are as unique as the people who call it home.
Uncovering Street Art Hotspots
A tour of Hattiesburg’s street art scene is like a treasure hunt through the city’s neighborhoods. In downtown, murals like “New Normal” by Andrea Kostyal brighten the urban landscape, conveying a unique story bound to the city’s past or present, and often reflecting its hope for the future.
The University District brings the exuberance of youth with art on the campus walls. The Historic Neighborhood Graffiti peeks into a different era, marking a corner of the city’s fabric that speaks to resilience and history. Discovering these spots is like immersing oneself in a gallery without walls, where the town is the maestro of this splendid symphony of colors.
In a separate area of downtown not far from the city center, you’ll discover an area dedicated to black history and the city’s link to Rock and Roll.
A Tour: The Art Scene Trail
Here’s an idea on how to discover what the city has to offer.
Start your day at the site of the former Coney Island Cafe on West Railroad Street. You can park in the lot between the railroad tracks and the café and leave it there for the day. You’ll see the mural on the backside of the former restaurant as shown below. There’s no fee for parking. You can snap photos of the street art on the front and back of the restaurant building before breakfast.
After breakfast, you can walk across the street to snag a photo of Andrea Kostyal’s New Normal, pastel-like work. Then, you can walk across the railroad tracks and snap a picture of the Mississippi Music Company mural.
The Pocket Museum
In the old downtown area near the Coney Island Café, you’ll find the Pocket Museum at the intersection of West Front Street and North Main Street. It’s a street alleyway chock-full of quirky mini-art pieces. It’s a short walk from the New Normal walk to the alleyway.
Hattiesburg: A Pioneer on the Rock and Roll Music Scene
You are liable to run into live music at various times throughout the year in Hattiesburg, and you might encounter a festival during your visit. After all, you’ll discover that rock and roll roots in Mississippi’s blues tradition stem from this city.
Two brothers from Hattiesburg recorded an early version of Rock and Roll in 1936, about 14 years before the Rock and Roll scene exploded worldwide in the 1950s. You’ll find a historic marker on Mobile Street, between East 6th and 7th streets, that cites Hattiesburg’s entry into the Rock and Roll era. You can drive your RV to this area if you don’t want to walk.
Co-located with the Rock and Roll historical marker is a serpentine mural that displays images of notable black individuals, their achievements, and their impact on our history. A QR code appears below each person’s picture. Invocation of the code reveals a biography about the person.
To dive deeper into Hattiesburg’s art realm, plan your tour at Hattiesburg Public Art and prepare to be dazzled by the creativity that lines the streets. If you make social media posts, you can share your experiences using the social media hashtags #arthburg and #muralsofhburg.
Where to Stay
You’ll find many RV parks and hotels galore in Hattiesburg, especially outside of town along Route 98 due west of the old city. But here’s our special tip for readers.
If you’re a member of the Elks (the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks), you’ll find the magnificent 1400-acre Elks Lodge #599 about 10 miles south of the city at 212 Elks Lodge Road. You can set up your RV along the 80+ acre fishing lake at campsites with full hookups. No reservations are required or taken. But call Mike Finch at 601-543-9794 to ensure campsite availability. Rates are reasonable, and you must be an Elks member to use the facility.
Where to Eat
You’ll find savory dining choices in the old city of Hattiesburg. We recommend checking Yelp or TripAdvisor for ideas. Make sure those you select are in the old city, in the downtown area. Many restaurants are now in West Hattiesburg or out-of-town in strip malls along Route 98.
Outside of town along Route 98 in a shopping mall, you’ll find an entirely different dining experience at the Half Shell Oyster House. This regional representative of a southern seafood restaurant chain offers a 5-star seafood dining experience. Our encounter here stands among the best food we’ve eaten anywhere over the past 15 years. Yes, you’ll want to sample the food at this place once you see the photos of the offerings below.
Up Next
Many American destinations feature street art in big cities and small towns. Each tells a unique and distinct story about their area, its citizens, and their history. Follow us on the LTV Explorers blog to discover a few more delightful spots you might find worthy of a quick stopover on your journeys. You’ll find our previous story about the street art scene in Vancouver here.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Paige Robertson of the Hattiesburg CVB for her support and assistance during our visit. All photos in this article are by the authors or captured with the permission of the Hattiesburg CVB and, in particular cases, with the owners’ permission.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://leisurevans.com/blog/chasing-street-art-hattiesburg-mississippi/