Travel back to the late 1800’s through exhibits depicting the life and daily activities of our ancestors. Landrum’s Homestead & Village is a unique educational experience for groups of all ages. Our mission is to increase the desire to learn, develop a sense of wonder, and intensify the appreciation for heritage.

Landrum’s is partnered with the USDA Forrest Service and the Mississippi Forestry Commission. Together we have created an educational display on the Civilian Conservation Corps and reforestation history of South Mississippi. The exhibit also covers fire towers, artifacts, and forest fires. Our displays show the forest as it is today and develops an understanding of the need for conservation and preservation.

Text Source

Howard Technology Solutions strives to bring to market cutting-edge, reliable, high-quality technology equipment at affordable prices. Whether selling our own Howard manufactured products such as desktops, notebooks, and servers or partnering with other leading technology innovators such as Panasonic®, Fujitsu, and Motion®, you can be sure when you buy from Howard, you are getting the most for your technology dollars.

Incorporated in 1955 with the initial public offering presented in 1987, Sanderson Farms, Inc. is a fully integrated poultry processing company engaged in the production, processing, marketing and distribution of fresh and frozen chicken and other prepared food items. The common shares of Sanderson Farms, Inc. are traded on the NASDAQ market under the symbol SAFM.

Sanderson Farms is special. We are a successful, growing, publicly-held company, respected in the communities in which we live and the industries of which we are a part. Our dedicated team of caring individuals treats all persons with absolute respect and integrity. People in our organization are devoted to the success of their associates in fulfilling their chosen potential in all aspects of life. Our primary responsibility is to maximize shareholder value. Our hallmarks are quality products, responsiveness to customer needs, superior achievement, prudent growth and successful people.

Text Source

Lake Bogue Homa was built in 1939 and acquired by MDWFP in 1959. It is a 882 acre lake located in Jones County, 6 mi. E of Laurel on Hwy 84.

It is the largest state fishing lake operated by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The 882 acre lake was renovated and stocked in 2008. The lake was reopened to fishing in May, 2010. Three handicapped access fishing piers  make fishing from the bank popular. The 3 boat ramps can accommodate boats of all sizes. Sport fish licenses and lake permits are required. Check posted regulations at the lake for permit fees.

Text Source | Photo Source

Our Laurel Little Theatre was organized back in August 1961 when four local theatre lovers first got together at the old bowling alley that used to be next door to the Leader-Call newspaper. Marda Kaiser Burton, Mary Anne Sumrall, Ernest Graves and Gene Gandrau hashed out their ideas and quickly called for an official organizational meeting at the old Pinehurst Hotel Coffee Shop. Some of the group that joined in with them at the Pinehurst were well known Laurel names like Jim Gibbon, Annie Ruth Grim, Page Jones Harris, Billy Howard Jr, Billy Lightsey, Ruth Tomlinson, Dot Traweek and Granville Walters.

Their goal was to present Laurel citizens with entertainment and to give would-be thespians a chance to get up on a stage and ham it up for their friends and family. Now five decades later, that’s still our main goal at the theatre. Little did those founders know in 1961 that one day that very group they organized would be performing in the old Arabian movie house just right next door to the Pinehurst Coffee Shop where they were meeting to form the group.

Text Source | Photo Source

The good people of Laurel have been flocking to Phillips Drive-In for generations. It opened in 1948 as a Dairy Queen, but the Phillips family left the franchise in the 1960s, and eventually partnered with the Beard family. Their relationship still exists today.

This drive-in is so popular that the owners hold an annual reunion. Last year more than 1,200 people attended, visiting from as far away as Alaska. There is a car show, music, and more cheeseburgers than you’d think possible.

PDI, as the locals affectionately call Phillips, is an old-time drive-in, and there’s nothing fancy about it. They do not serve haute cuisine, and there’s nothing remotely Pacific Rim-fusion on the menu. However, if you are looking for a good cheeseburger, then PDI is the right place for you.

The menu really is all about burgers, but they do offer a few sandwiches, hot dogs, and a handful of good sides. The basic burger (a grilled beef patty adorned with mustard, ketchup, onions, and pickle) will set you back the grand sum of $2.15. If you make it a jumbo burger, the price skyrockets to $3.25. The most expensive burger on the menu, the Hellfighter, consists of a burger with mayo, onion, lettuce, tomato, pickle, cheese, and jalapeño peppers. The Hellfighter, even when ordered as a jumbo including fries, costs $5.65.

Big Creek Reservoir is a hidden treasure located between Collins and Laurel Mississippi, on Hwy. 84.  Enjoy countless hours of fishing in Big Creek’s 200-acre lake full of bass, bream, crappie and catfish.  The area features a unique rolling countryside and the oldest cedar trees in the state of Mississippi. Set up camp at Big Creek’s fully equipped RV sites or escape to one of two furnished cabins for a relaxing family or romantic getaway. Two camp houses offer spacious lodging for church groups and other recreational functions.  Between boat tours around the lake and hanging by the beach, Big Creek Reservoir embodies southern relaxation and fresh air.

Text Source | Photo Source

The focus of Laurel Main Street Walking Tour is the preservation and economic growth of Laurel’s Central Business District, bounded at the north by 5th St., south by Carroll Gartin Boulevard, east by Front Street and west by Beacon Street.

Laurel is one of  50 certified Main Street Communities in the state of Mississippi.

Main Street is a unique but effective approach to economic development through preservation. Using the four-point approach of organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring, Main Street communities boost local business from the city center outward.

Text Source | Photo Source

The Loblolly Festival is held annually on the first Saturday in October and celebrates Laurel’s heritage as a sawmill town.

Vendors from several states, artists, crafters and craftsmen set up shop in the streets of downtown Laurel for this one day event.

Tucked in close together atop the brick streets of Downtown Laurel, they’ll offer their latest creations to the surging crowds.

In one booth – prized artwork, in the next – a display of simple wooden toys; each manned by an artist or craftsman watching intently for those who appreciate their hard work and want to bring it into their lives.

From mid-morning to late-afternoon love and loss, memories and tall tales will fill the empty spaces between the towering downtown buildings as musicians and songwriters display their hearts and talents for the entranced festival-goers.

A few blocks away someone bites into the first authentic festival food of the season, balancing a long-anticipated funnel cake atop their recent purchases.

The flannel-adorned Laurel Lumberjack stands nearly a foot taller than all around him and quickly draws a crowd requesting photos and inquiring about the whereabouts of his lovely wife.

A chainsaw growls to life as a talented artist shapes logs and limbs into beautiful artwork surrounded by onlookers enjoying this favorite festival attraction, funded by a grant from the MS Arts Commission.

Teens flock to this year’s art contest “Loblolly Pine Tree – A Closer Look”, hoping to find the winning ribbon pinned to their own creation. Their little siblings squeal in delight as they watch the “Pooches on Parade” dog show and pick out their favorite furry friend.

Late into the evening the children’s train ride passes the Pinehurst Park fountain one last time, children slip on shoes outside the slowly deflating jumps and one last brave soul is flung excitedly from the mechanical bull.

Soon – the 2016 Loblolly Festival will be a recent memory, but for now, there is still time to experience the fun and nostalgia as we celebrate our storied past and enjoy our artful, musical, delicious present.

Text Source | Photo Source