THE NEIGHBORHOOD:
The City of Hattiesburg was developed on a series of terraces that rise from the Leaf River with the oldest areas, including the Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood (HHN), on the lowest and flattest terrace. The boundaries of HHN are established in large part by natural and existing man-made features such as Gordon’s Creek, Norfolk Southern Railroad, and Illinois Central Railroad line, an abandoned rail line. It is a 23-block area with approximately 450 structures, located south and southeast of Historic Downtown Hattiesburg. Within its borders is a smaller area that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The district’s streets are lined with trees, giving cohesiveness to the district and complimenting the diversity of architectural styles.

The homes in the district range in style, including Colonial and Classical Revivals interspersed with Queen Anne cottages of various sizes. There are also bungalow and vernacular houses of more moderate proportions found throughout the district, filling in some of the earlier open spaces and contributing to the district’s continuity and development of urban character. The Italianate, Mission, Tudor, Late Gothic Revival, International, and Art Moderne are also represented in the neighborhood district but only by one or two examples each.

THE HATTIESBURG HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION:
HHNA (Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood Association) has received several awards and recognition over the years as being a leader in the community in the areas of preservation, activism, and involvement. Most recently HHN was a leading voice in the city redistricting efforts to assure that Ward 4 stays intact and that the majority of the Historic Conservation Districts reside within it. A major concern for the citizens of these districts, they are able to speak with one collective voice and carry a modicum of political clout.

In addition, HHNA was recognized by the Mississippi Municipal League in July 2012 with the Award of Excellence for Planning and Economic Development (over 10,000) through the City of Hattiesburg. Selected from more than 150 nominees nationwide in 2011, HHN was the first place in Mississippi to receive the 10 Great Neighborhoods in America designation from the American Planning Association.