Laurel
Around Laurel
Photo: Frank Monaldo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Mississippi · 81k people
Laurel
Locals say Pine Belt · “The City Beautiful”
The heart of the Pine Belt
Pine GreenBrick Red
Welcome to the Pine Belt! Whether you're here for the small-town charm or the piney woods, you'll find a friendly wave and a good story. Come sit a spell.
Clubs for Laurel
No clubs for Laurel yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Laurel. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Laurel. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Lauren Rogers Museum of Art Regional art museum with a notable collection.
- Laurel Historic District Known for early 20th-century homes and HGTV's 'Home Town'.
- Jones County Courthouse Historic county courthouse in Ellisville.
- Ellisville Square Classic small-town square with local shops and events.
- Outdoors Hiking in pine forests
- Outdoors Fishing in local creeks
- With kids Visiting the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art
- With kids Playing at a city park
- Evenings Small-town bars with live music
- Evenings Dinner at local diners
- Locals love Small-town diners
- Locals love Antique shops
Through the year
- Jones County Fair fall Classic county fair with rides, livestock, and local food.
- Laurel Main Street Festival spring Street fair with vendors, music, and local crafts.
- Laurel Christmas Parade December Holiday parade through downtown Laurel.
Humid subtropical climate with hot, muggy summers and mild winters. Rain is common year-round. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be out, with mild temps and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “Pine Belt”
- The local name for the region, referencing the pine forests.
Getaways
- Hattiesburg College town with dining, shopping, and the Longleaf Trace.
- Meridian Historic downtown, art museums, and the Riley Center.
- Jackson State capital with museums, zoo, and the Mississippi Braves.
- Bogalusa Louisiana border town with a different flavor.
Local flavour
Rooting for New Orleans Saints (NFL), Mississippi Braves (MiLB), Ole Miss Rebels (NCAA), Mississippi State Bulldogs (NCAA), Southern Miss Golden Eagles (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Fried catfish A Southern staple, often served with hushpuppies
- Hushpuppies Cornmeal fritters, a classic side
- Barbecue (pulled pork) Slow-cooked and smoked, a Mississippi favorite
- Sweet tea The quintessential Southern drink
- Pecan pie A dessert made with local pecans
Where people go
- Historic home districts Tree-lined streets with well-preserved early 20th-century houses
- Pine forests Vast stretches of longleaf and loblolly pines
- Small-town squares Central gathering places with local shops and courthouses
- Art museums Cultural institutions like the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art
Heritage and traditions
Laurel is proud of its historic charm, its piney woods heritage, and its reputation as a welcoming small town that gained national attention for its revitalization.
This time of year in Laurel
- Friday night football Fall Fall is all about high school football, with games drawing the whole town.
- Deer hunting season Fall–Winter Many families hunt deer in the fall and winter, and venison is a common meal.
Say it like a local: “Out in the pines” — A term for a small, out-of-the-way place.
Landmarks with a story
- Lauren Rogers Museum of Art The first art museum in Mississippi, housed in a beautiful Georgian Revival building, with a notable collection of American art and Native American baskets.
- Laurel Historic District A well-preserved collection of early 20th-century homes and buildings, showcasing the wealth from the timber boom.
- Laurel Cemetery A historic burial ground with graves dating back to the 1800s, including veterans and early settlers.
- Free State of Jones historical marker A marker in Ellisville commemorating the county's Civil War-era resistance, when locals formed the 'Free State of Jones' against the Confederacy.
- Old railroad depot The depot in Laurel was a key hub for the timber industry and is now a reminder of the town's growth.
Food traditions
- Comeback sauce A creamy, tangy sauce served with fried catfish, vegetables, and even burgers. It's a Mississippi staple, believed to have originated in Jackson but beloved across the Pine Belt.
- Banana pudding with vanilla wafers A classic Southern dessert, often brought to church potlucks, family reunions, and funerals. Layers of banana, pudding, and wafers are a comfort food tradition.
- Sunday fried chicken Many families still gather for a big fried chicken dinner after church on Sundays, often with mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans.
- Pecan pie Pecans grow well in the area, and pecan pie is a holiday and celebration dessert, often made with local nuts.
Music and arts
- Southern gospel and country music Church choirs and local musicians keep the tradition of gospel and country alive, with performances at community events and churches.
- Community theatre The Laurel Little Theatre (and similar groups) put on plays and musicals, a beloved local arts tradition.
A little history
- Late 1800s–early 1900s Timber boom and founding of Laurel
- 1882 Laurel was incorporated in 1882 and grew rapidly due to the lumber industry, becoming known as the 'Pine Belt'.
- 1863–1865 The 'Free State of Jones' during the Civil War, when Jones County rebelled against Confederate authority.
- 1923 The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art opened in 1923, the first art museum in Mississippi.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Deer hunting season
- Outdoors Canoeing or kayaking on the Leaf River
- Outdoors Picnicking in the piney woods
- With kids Visiting the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art
- With kids Playing at a city park
Locals speak with a classic Southern accent, drawling vowels and using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. The Pine Belt has a relaxed, friendly way of talking, with a touch of rural Mississippi charm.
Only here
- The first art museum in Mississippi is here (Lauren Rogers Museum of Art).
- The 'Home Town' TV show is filmed in Laurel, bringing national attention to the historic district.
- The Pine Belt is named for the vast pine forests that dominate the landscape.
- The Free State of Jones heritage is a point of pride, with a unique Civil War history.
New here? A few tips
- It's pronounced 'LORE-el' (like the tree).
- Summers are hot and humid; stay hydrated and use air conditioning.
- You'll need a car—public transit is limited.
- People are friendly; don't be surprised if strangers say hello or strike up a conversation.
- Spring brings heavy pine pollen; it coats everything yellow—keep your car washed.
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Part of Hattiesburg area
Nearby
Every areaCollinsMississippiWhere the pines meet the red dirtHattiesburgMississippiPine-scented streets, Southern hearts.LucedaleMississippiWhere the pines whisper and the river runs deepMeridianMississippiHeart of the Black PrairieColumbiaMississippiWhere the pines whisper and the Pearl flows.JacksonAlabamaWhere the pines whisper and the rivers run slow.JacksonMississippiWhere the blues and magnolias meetBogalusaLouisianaWhere the piney woods whisper Louisiana stories.
Laurel, MS. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.