Tag: Wiggins

Fun Fact: Local News from August 5, 1916

Another Fun Fact from the August 5, 1916 edition of Stone County Enterprise:

LOCAL NEWS

“C.H. Lindsey, representing X.A. Kromer, Architect of Magnolia, was here Tuesday for the purpose of showing plans and specifications for a new courthouse.

W.R. Smith, member of the county board from beat 5 was in town Tuesday.

Miss Roberta Simmons will return to Purvis today after a week here with Miss May Boone.  Miss Boone will return to Purvis with Miss Simmons to visit friends.for several days.

B.T. Price is nursing a bad hand caused by sticking a splinter in it a few days ago.”

Fun Fact: Stevon Moore

Stevon Moore
Stevon Moore

 Stevon Moore (born February 9, 1967 in Wiggins, Mississippi) is an American former football player who was selected by the New York Jets in the 7th round (181st overall) of the 1989 NFL Draft. A 5’11”, 204-lb. safety from the University of Mississippi, Moore played in nine NFL seasons from 1990-1999.

OBTW – he was a member of the conference winning SHS 1984-1985 Tomcats football team!

Fun Fact: Wiggins Professionals 1916

From Stone County Enterprise   August 5,1916

 This listing was entitled  PROFESSIONAL:

 

H.D. Pickering

Lawyer

Wiggins

 

E.R. Davis

Lawyer

Wiggins

 

W.C. Batson

Attorney-At-Law

Wiggins

 

A.W. Bond

Attorney and Counselor at Law

Wiggins

 

U.B. Parker

Lawyer

Office in Post Office Bldg

 

Dr. J.A. Leggett

Dentist

Wiggins

 

Dr. J.S. McWilliams

Dentist

Second Floor Drug Store Building

Wiggins

 

Dr. Barber

Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist

Carter Bldg.  Hattiesburg

Dr. W.M. Shepherd     Dr. Z Causey

Office on Pine Street

Fun Fact: Bethlehem Baptist Church

Fun Fact: The following article was printed in April 1, 2004 edition of the Stone County Enterprise as an an insert Celebrating 100 Years of Progress.

 

BETHLEHEM BAPTIST CHURCH

Bethlehem Baptist Church of Wiggins was organized around 1896  by Brother John Moore and Sister Mary Moore and a few other individuals.  The first preacher was Reverend Ford from Alabama.  The first church was built above the Pickle Canning Factory,  (became the Pickle Factory).  Some time after its constructions, the building burned.  The church members then held church services in the Methodist Church (located between  what is now Danzey Tire Service and First National Bank.  )

In 1903 the church called Rev. R.G. Gray as pastor.  He served until April, 1947.  During that time he and the congregation built three churches.  Today the church  building and family life center is located on Magnolia Drive in Wiggins.

“     Through the years, Bethlehem Baptist Church has remained a steady beacon to Wiggins and the surrounding communities.”

Fun Fact: Tank Unloaded in Wiggins

This photo was provided by Glenn Husted, Arms and Vehicle Conservator at the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby.  In the background, you see a jeep and a military truck.

As we celebrate America today, let’s be sure to remember all those who have served since American Revolution to preserve the freedoms we enjoy today.

Tank unloaded in Wiggins at Pine Street Crossing
Tank unloaded in Wiggins at Pine Street Crossing

Fun Fact: Young Men’s Business Club

From W.P.A. Research Project

Subject: Stone County

(This was written around 1937.)

Young Men’s Business Club

The Young Men’s Business Club was formed in 1935 by some young business and professional men of Wiggins and Stone County for the purpose of developing a civic and industrial improvement program (similar to a Chamber of Commerce).

“The Business Club is a local organization and is not affiliated with any national organization.  Small monthly dues are paid by each member.  Applicants are carefully selected and investigated before being voted into membership.  It was mainly through efforts of the club members, that the W.P.A.S. Gymnasium Building was built in Wiggins, as they sponsored the project for the erection of same.  The building was completed several months ago and has been of great benefit to entire county, for athletic events, exhibits of different kinds, etc.”

Fun Fact: Mike Cain

Mike Annis Cain
Mike Annis Cain

Not sure the year of this photograph, but know it is a photo of a very young Mike Annis (now Cain) wearing her ballcap much like her much loved Dad, “Mutt” Annis, would do. Mike’s dream, with her friend Ruth Ellen Campbell (now Ford) was to have a museum in Wiggins. After many years of teaching Stone County’s children, and with the support of many others, that dream came true with the opening of the Old Firehouse Museum.

Fun Fact: Speed Limits

The following reminder  appeared in the Stone County Enterprise,
August 5, 1916:

“Automobile drivers should remember that there is an ordinance governing the speed limit to TWELVE MILES PER HOUR on the streets and six miles per hour turning corners in Wiggins and should govern themselves accordingly.”

Fun Fact: Wiggins Memorial Park

From the Stone County Enterprise -Wiggins 100th Anniversary Timeline:

“1953 — Citizens dedicated Wiggins Memorial Park and a memorial was installed there for commemorating the forestry activities of Brooks Toler.    The park was located on Hwy 49 S (now Magnolia Drive) in Wiggins.”

Most of us called it simply “the roadside park”.  Mike Cain said when she was young, lots of parties and picnics took place there and it was a popular “parking place” for high schoolers! Cille McHenry Litchfield remembers picnics and Girl Scout day camp events being held there when she was little.

The park no longer exists, but the monument is scheduled to be placed on lawn of the Old Firehouse Museum this summer. It’s a big old stone and was located  underneath bushes and debris on the property which had been bought by local developer.

Fun Fact: Wednesday Afternoons In Wiggins

“Why do stores close on Wednesday afternoon in Wiggins”?  Mike Cain found the answer in the Wiggins 100th birthday edition of the  Stone County Enterprise.  It was written in a timeline… “1933  Merchants of Wiggins voted unanimously to close their places of business on Wednesday afternoon of each week through the months of May, June, July and August.  Drug stores, filling stations and restaurants would remain open.”

Later, “1943  –In view of shortage of help and scarcity of merchandise the merchants of  Wiggins agreed unanimously to continue closing on Wednesday afternoon on a year round basis.”

No one knows why some merchants continue this tradition today.