“An Evening on the Hill” Scheduled for October 5, 2013
Category: Old Firehouse Museum
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Fun Fact: Wiggins Fire of 1910
A History of Towns & Communities in Harrison & Stone Counties Mississippi
Compiled by LeRoy F. Eastes
In January , 1910 , there was a serious fire in the business district of Wiggins. Three city blocks were consumed, while other buildings were dynamited to prevent the fire from spreading. At 11 o’clock in the morning, a raging wind from the northwest swept the fire through the business center of the town, causing a property loss between $100,000 and $150,000.
The Gulf Island Ship Island depot and Peoples Bank were destroyed. Other businesses wiped out included, but were not limited to: Wiggins Mercantile Co., Foote & Bond Mercantile Co., W.W. Burnette & Co. (mercantile), The Burnette Hotel, the Schwartz Dry Goods Company store, two livery stables (owned by L.W. Davis and D.J O’Neal), and several small grocery stores including Lindsay & Co. and Wiggins Grocery Co.
Three box cars were sent to Wiggins to be used as a temporary depot following the fire.
Fun Fact: Wiggins Presbyterian Church
From the 100th Anniversary Booklet (2007)
“When the sizzling summer sun arose over Wiggins on July 12, 1907, there was no Presbyterian church in the town, nor had there ever been. But, there were Presbyterians; devout, faithful, hard-working Christian men and women who had a determination to live for Christ in the tiny saw-mill town.
On this particular day the fervor of Wiggins Presbyterians had reached a new high. They had just experienced ten days of special meetings which were conducted by Evangelist J.F. Eddins and held in the Methodist Church. So great was their zeal for God that before the sun set, their mountain top experience was climaxed by the organization of The Wiggins Presbyterian Church with twenty-two charter members enrolled. Eighteen were received by letter from other churches, two upon profession of faith and two upon reaffirmation of faith. Seven children were baptized.”
So the church was born and was destined to become an effective witness for Christ in the community and state.
Fun Fact: G.A. McHenry in Cuba
Dr. George Austin McHenry, who homesteaded in the area of South Stone County that now bears his name beginning in 1889, joined the United States Volunteers in 1898, as a contract surgeon with the rank of Captain. He served in the Spanish American War in Cuba, the Philippine insurrection, and in China. During his time in Cuba, Dr. McHenry directed the yellow fever hospital there. Since he was immune to the disease, he was able to help many others.
While serving in the Spanish American War, McHenry developed a close relationship with Leonard Wood, who later became Chief of Staff of the United States Army and was tasked with establishing military training sites throughout the United States. Because of this relationship, Dr. McHenry was instrumental in proposing the establishment of one of these training sites to be located south of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, because of the mild climate, available rail facilities, and geography. The site was selected, and in 1917 it became Camp Shelby, the largest state owned military training facility in the United States.
Fun Fact: Stapp Project – Work Underway
The project to share the lives and contributions of sisters Emilie and Marie Stapp kicked off August 20, 2013, at the Stone County Library – Wiggins Branch. These folks represented the various parties involved in the project. Back row (L-R): Carol Pearce (The Old Firehouse Museum), Ellen Ruffin (Curator, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection (USM)), Linda Spitz (Friends of the Stone County Library), Betty Hearon (cousin by marriage to the Stapp Family), Daisha Walker (MGCCC and the Stone County Arts Council); Seated (L-R): Dottie Rausch (great niece of Emily and Marie Stapp), Eileen Day Gipson (great great niece of Emily and Marie Stapp).
Fun Fact: Cicero E. Cunningham
We are the collective histories of our families. David Cunningham provided these photos of a business card that his Grandfather, Cicero E. Cunningham, made for his shoe store. that was located at the bottom of Pine Hill. Cicero Cunningham also wrote the poem on the back of the card.
The other photo is of his shoe collection. It has nicknacks of shoes, and baby shoes of different family members and of Ms. Belle Ingersoll, who played piano as background for silent movies. The case with the shoes was always in the store and in his cobbler shop that was across from the store, next to the theater. Many of you will remember this, from going into the Cunningham Shoe Store during your childhood.
Fun Fact: Bond-Harvinson Memorial Park
Bond-Harvinson Memorial Park, located on McGregor Road in Wiggins, is a peaceful place of a number of settlers of the area. Most lived when the area now known as Stone County was a part of first Jackson County and then Harrison County. Col. John Bond was a Revolutionary War hero. His sons, Lt. Col. John Bond, Jr. and Lt William Bond, served in the Mississippi Militia during the War of 1812. John Bond, Jr. represented the area in the Mississippi Legislature at one point and settled in the McHenry area (and is buried in Saucier). The Bonds, like the McHenrys, Batsons, Prices, Dales, and many others lives are tied together as the first families of this area.
It is noted in several records reviewed that the Cenotaph of Lt. William Bond that is in the Memorial Park contains a number of errors regarding his children. Other records reviewed show the same picture for John Bond Sr. and John Bond Jr. Regardless both were key to the development of the area.
Fun Fact: The Dolls’ House at Friendship Farm
The Dolls’ House at Friendship Farm was, for many years, the home of Emilie and Marie Stapp. This rendering is part of the original set of elevation drawings prior to the construction of The Dolls’ House.
This artifact and more like it are part of the research now occurring for the Emilie Blackmore Stapp Project now underway jointly by the Friends of Stone County Library, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, de Grummond’s Children Literature Collection at USM, the Stone County Arts Council, and The Old Firehouse Museum.
Many events and activities are in the early planning stages. The celebration is planned for the first quarter of 2014.
This particular artifact is in the Stapp family collection and was shared by Eileen Day Gipson who lived in The Dolls’ House and is a member of the Stapp family through her great grandfather Fred Stapp, brother of Emilie and Marie.
Fun Fact: Pickle Festival
Stone County celebrated the first Pickle Festival on June 16-17, 1937. This collage is of the court and former queens from 1940.
Fun Fact: Cunningham Shoe Store
David Cunningham shared this photo of a 1968 promotional calendar from the Cunningham Shoe Store. The store was located at the bottom of Pine Hill across from the old Straub Theater. Thanks David for sharing this look back in time!
The Old Firehouse Museum 