ABOUT
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
The Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood Association is the most vibrant and energetic neighborhood associations in the city.
HHN is a Historic Conservation District -
What does that mean to you?
There are certain things you can not do without first getting permission from the Hattiesburg Historic Conservation Commission. This includes cutting trees, changing windows, doors, roof, fences, building additions, tearing down buildings, or making significant structural changes to any building in the neighborhood.
All remodeling and general maintenance work within this neighborhood (and the other four local conservation districts) requires one of the following, which can be obtained from the Historic Preservation Planning office (2nd Floor, City Hall, Planning Division, 200 Forrest Street).
HOMEOWNER INFO
Membership dues for the Neighborhood Association are $25 and are collected in December for the upcoming year.
All home owners are expected to participate in the Annual Victorian Candlelit Christmas by purchasing candles/ bags from the Association and putting them out the second weekend of December.
Please be courteous and pick-up after your pet. There is a city ordinance requiring pet owners to clean up after their pet which includes a fine of up to $500. If you walk your dogs at the Walthall Park - ALWAYS clean up!
Read more about Code Violations here.
Neighborhood Information
Garbage Collection
Household Garbage pick up is on Tuesday
Recycling Collection
Recycling pick up is on Thursday
Yard Debris Collection
Yard Clipping pick up on Thursday
Historical Marker Signs
Anyone interested in ordering historical marker signs email info@hattiesburghistoricneighborhood.com.
Signs come in two parts: wrought iron stands for $40 and the actual sign itself ($45 from Signs First- 601 268-7275).
Voter Information
HHNA/WF Association
Annual Meetings are held in January. Each Active Member and Senior Member household is entitled to one vote at the Annual Meeting. Annual Meeting is held in January in the Walthall.
Municipal/State/National Elections
Dual registration is available, enabling citizens to register at either City Hall or the County for both municipal and County, State and Federal elections. Citizens should bring their social security card for identification purposes. Registration is available at City Hall
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do I need a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) to paint the outside of my house or building?
No, unless the building has never been painted, in which case painting it would be a change in design and materials.
I want to remodel the inside of my house, including modernizing the kitchen and bathrooms. Do I need a COA?
No, a COA is not required for interior work. Interior remodeling may require building permits, however, depending on the type and extent of the work.
Do I need a COA to replace window in my house with new ones?
Yes, changes to or replacement of major exterior features such as windows and doors requires a COA. Repair is always recommended before replacement.
We want to add a room onto our historic house, and later we would like to build a carport. Will we need to obtain a COA?
Yes, additions to existing houses and construction of new buildings both require a COA.
A large pecan tree is growing too close to our house and is dropping limbs on the roof. Do we need a COA in order to remove the tree?
Yes, tree removal requires evaluation by the Urban Forester and a COA.
Who To Call
When I have a request for City services, who do I call?
Call the Action Center 601.545.4500 or 601.545.4611.
When a streetlight needs repair, who do I call?
Call Mississippi Power Company 800.532.1502.
When I need a building permit, who do I call?
Call Land Code 601.554.1003 or 601.554.1004.
When I need a yard sale permit, who do I call?
Call Tax Department 601.545.4522 or 601.545.4523.
When I have a job that requires digging, who do I call?
“CALL Before You Dig” number is 811. Use it before you begin any digging project. 811 is a federally mandated national number created to help people from unintentionally hitting utility lines while working on digging projects. Every digging job requires a call – even small projects like planting trees or shrubs. If you hit an underground utility line while digging, you can harm yourself or those around you, disrupt an entire neighborhood and potentially be responsible for fines and repair costs. Smart digging means calling 811 before each job and the best thing is that utility lines are marked for FREE!
MEMBERSHIP
We have two organizations dedicated to preservation, protection of our property values, and enhancement of the historic culture of our neighborhood, the city of Hattiesburg, and the Pine Belt Area- The Walthall Foundation and the Hattiesburg Historical Neighborhod Association.
The Walthall Foundation was established in 1995 as a 501c(3) nonprofit charitable Foundation for the sole purpose of restoring and preserving Walthall School property. Since the sale of the building and the conversion of the property into a residential condominium, the Walthall Foundation is now responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the Walthall Condo unit #108 and the surrounding grounds. As a 501 (c)(3) it can not get into political actions sometimes required to protect the interest of our entire neighborhood.
The.Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood Association was established as a 501c(4) charitable and educational organization, and, therefore can and does address issues such as zoning issues, code enforcement, and others. As a corporation, HHNA can function in ways not available to non-incorporated neighborhoods.
The two organizations now work in tandem to serve the Historic Neighborhood District.
By being involved in HHNA/WF, members have an opportunity to play a key role in the on-going renewal our neighborhood. The Association maintains and fosters a spirit of community for Downtown residents, businesses and visitors alike. We invite you to join us today.
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ACTIVE MEMBER: Property Owners within the boundary of the neighborhood, whether they live in the neighborhood or not. HHNA Voting Privileges equal to one vote Dues $25 per household.
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ASSOCIATE MEMBER: Anyone interested and in support of the neighborhood and its activities. This is a Non-voting membership; however, Associate members can attend give input and suggestions at all open meetings. Dues $25. (This would be a membership specifically for renters, businesses or organizations, and for non-incorporated property owners NOT living in the Neighborhood or persons with an interest in the Neighborhood).
All dues, paid on a yearly basis, are payable in December for the coming year. All dues must be current prior exercising any voting privileges or Walthall condo rental privileges. Dues are payable to Walthall Foundation, Inc. Tax ID #64-0867206
Mission Statements
HHNA is organized to operate for charitable and educational purposes. 501c(4) More specifically:
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To discover, purchase, commission or otherwise procure, publish, and in any way preserve writings, newspapers, blue prints, maps, photos, journals, etc. which shed light on the history and architecture of Hattiesburg, Mississippi
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To research, discover, procure, purchase, restore, and assure the preservation of buildings, land, homes, or other articles which may relate to the history and architecture of the City of Hattiesburg, Mississippi
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To establish and maintain historic homes, buildings, or exhibits, and land leased or owned by HHNA
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To hold meetings and other activities for the instruction and information of members of the public
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To accept donations of money, real property, or other property for the above purposes.
Walthall Foundation Mission Statement:
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The Walthall Foundation/Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood Board shall govern the affairs of the organizations, including the operation and maintenance of the Walthall Condominium, Unit 108, according to the Bylaws of the organizations in addition to guidelines and policies as adopted.
Walthall Foundation is a 501c(3) and checks made to them, for any purpose, are tax deductible.
PARTNERS.
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HISTORY
In 1980 the neighborhood was listed with the National Register of Historic Places as the Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood District. This was the first area in Hattiesburg to receive that recognition, closely following the registration of Hattiesburg Historic Downtown District. Registration of North Main Historic Neighborhood District, The Oaks District, Downtown District Expansion and Parkhaven District followed. Since the formation of the Hattiesburg Historic.
Neighborhood Association in 1976, over 90 percent of the houses have either been substantially renovated or continuously maintained.
A dominant feature of the neighborhood is the dense tree canopy punctuated by pocket parks and the larger, park-like lots. The trees have always been a distinguishing feature as the first homebuilders and owners planted water oaks along every street and right-of-way as well as additional trees on their properties.
Protection and replacement of trees as a planned activity started at the beginning and continues today.
Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood (HHN), is located south and southeast of Historic Downtown Hattiesburg, and west of the Leaf River. Within its borders is a smaller area that is the area listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). HHN is a well-maintained, 23-block area comprising approximately 450 structures within 115-acres that is remarkable because of its size, cohesiveness, compactness and the high percentage of architecturally significant structures.
Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood presents a showcase of the development of a timber town in Southeast Mississippi. The neighborhood, founded in 1884, retains much of the appearance it acquired during its historical development by founders of the city. The condition of the district’s structures ranges from fair to excellent. Very few houses are vacant and beginning to deteriorate. Some descendants of those founders have continued to maintain several of the homes in this area. While a number of residences were always well maintained, acquisition and restoration of key houses since the early ‘80’s ignited the revitalization of HHN.
In 1981 HHN sued the City to require posting of conspicuous signs on the property itself when zoning changes were proposed. The City conceded in a settlement, and consequently, HHN was able to send representatives to all City Planning Commissions meetings when neighborhood changes were being considered. HHN action provided valuable citizen input that prevented all such inappropriate changes in the following years.
In the years to come, other organized neighborhoods, especially historic districts, took up the same policies. In 1988-89 HHN provided input to city planners and to the Planning Commission in the City’s revision of the zoning map. HHN sought to keep the primarily residential character of the neighborhood and to have existing use be validated with zoning law. The new map was adopted in 1989, making unnecessary the constant trips to Planning Commission meetings to fight inappropriate changes.
Today residents of the neighborhood include descendants of the city’s first families as well as newcomers of all ages from retirees to newlyweds. The neighbors remain united in their objectives of preserving the architectural integrity of the neighborhood, attracting new residents and informing area citizens about the historic significance of the neighborhood and the importance of the revitalization and preservation of its houses.
Early founders of the neighborhood who where historically prominent citizens who built houses and resided in the neighborhood include: Dr. T.E. Ross (416 Bay Street) owner of the Central Business District’s Ross Building and a founder of Methodist Hospital; J.P. Carter (502 Court Street) owner of the Central Business District’s Carter Building, president of First National Bank or Commerce and city alderman 1889; George Komp (122 Short Bay) owner of Komp Machine Works; W.M. Conner (106 Short Bay) local merchant, developer, alderman 1888, and mayor of Hattiesburg 1889-90; J.S. Turner (500 Bay Street) local land owner, lumberman, alderman 1899-1900 and organizer of the First National Bank of Commerce; W.W. Crawford (301 Court Street) founder of the South Mississippi Infirmary; F.B. Woodley (415 Walnut Street) superintendent of schools; Abner Polk, (730 River Avenue) alderman 1899-1900 and liveryman; Michael Rowan (401 Bay Street) roadmaster for the New Orleans and Northeastern and Mississippi Central Railroads; Paul B. Johnson Jr. and Sr. (Bay Street- house no longer there) Governors of Mississippi.
In 1995, the Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood Association purchased the Walthall school and grounds from the Hattiesburg Public School District. The Neighborhood Association created Walthall Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) entity, to own and operate the building and to provide for its future use and development. The Foundation made improvements to the building and grounds and worked with a number of tenants. The Foundation subsequently deeded the property to Interaction Factory for development of a hands-on children;s science and art museum.
When the Walthall Foundation again received the title to this property in November of 2005 after the Interaction Factory became inactive, one of the first actions by the Walthall Board was to develop goals and objectives for the Walthall School property. The Board concluded that continued ownership and operation of this facility was beyond the scope of their resources and desires for ongoing management. In 2006, Walthall Foundation sold the property to Walthall Development, LLC for the development of condominiums that would maintain the Mississippi Landmark status of the building and National Register status as required by law.
