Gallery: Automobiles Arrive
)(stock photos)
Much of Hattiesburg's early transportation history is interwoven with trains. While railroads played a pivotal role in getting the area started (eg., the logging industry), automobiles had a major influence in expanding and shaping the city into what it is today.
Early cars in Hattiesburg
(stock photos)
Tucked away in the HAHS archives is an undated First Mississippi National Bank booklet entitled "Hattiesburg: A Picture History." The following excerpts provide insight into arrival of some of the earliest automobiles in the city (the numbers in parentheses correspond to the photos):
"Mr. William S. Temple, a pioneer hardware mechant of Hattiesburg, interviewed several years ago, recalled: 'I was the first person to drive an auto in Hattiesburg. It belonged to Herb Hemphill
.... The Cadillac Company offered to give him a single stroke, single cylinder car (1) if he would pay the freight on it. When it arrived on the freight train, I went down and unloaded the car, paid the freight for Mr. Hemphill, who was in New Orleans at the time.... Several of us got cars soon afterwards, but that one cylinder was a nine day wonder..."
"By 1912-13 the automobile population had increased somewhat. Some of the other early ones recalled by old timers included the old Detroit Electric car (2), owned by Dr. T. Erskine Ross, Sr.
; the Ford Model T (3) that belonged to Dr. J. J. Bethea
; and the old Speedwell (4) of Mr. Walter Moreland Conner
which had a speed-o-meter, an air bulb rubber horn and no self-starter...."
"Mr. W. S. F. Tatum
... in the early 1900's bought two Wintons (5), one for himself and one for his attorney, Mr. S. E. Travis, Sr.
These cars had electric lights and self-starters."
"About 1914, Quint Orr, merchant, bought a Stanley Steamer (6). Dr. E. F. Rush, dentist living on Laurel Avenue, bought a four cylinder Cadillac (7). Mr. Seth Heidelberg
, Mr. T. O. Watkins, Dr. J. J. Stevens, Mr. E. E. Conner, and Dr. W. M. Busby were listed among the early owners of the motorized modes of travel."
"Mrs. E. E. Carley is said to have been the first woman to learn to drive a car in Hattiesburg."
(R) the Model T (3) (c)1908 owned by Dr. J. J. Bethea, parked
in front of the old Methodist Hospital on Bay Street
The same "Hattiesburg: A Picture History" reference also credits J. O. Barron
as owning the first car in Hattiesburg. Its not clear whether he was the first or among the first, but his Barron Motors business must not have been in operation at the time, for he purchased his first vehicle through (of all sources) a Sears catalog which sold the "Sears Motor Buggy" from 1908-1912. :)
First Wreck
And yes, if there's a first car and a first driver, then there must be a first accident. The photo at the left shows what we believe is the first vehicular breakdown in the Hub City; the truck to the right of the trolley car rails appears to have lost a couple of wheels. The incident occurred at Buschman and Main Street. Fortunately, Barron's Ford dealership (shown in the background at the right) was within walking distance, so help was not too far away.
Things to Come
Like any new technology, automobiles transitioned over time. For example, The Hattiesburg Bottling Company scan was taken in the late 1920's and shows both horse-drawn and motorized vehicles near the building.
Similarly, the Farmers Feed and Grocery photo shows the Second Street facility's 1929 grand opening with both a horse-drawn buggy and horseless carriages in the parking lot.
And what were some of Hattiesburg's early car dealerships?
(Click a View button for additional information and a photo.)
- 1. View Barron Motors
Barron Motors, 1920's Barron Motors was originally located at the corner of Main and Buschman Streets, but later moved to the corner of Main and Batson Streets. The dealership sold Fords and Lincolns. Back in the day, it was said that a customer could order a Ford Model T in any color as long as it was black. After the Barron facility closed, Sears occupied the site followed later by the Chancery Court Building.
SOURCES: Hattiesburg American, 10/1928; Hattiesburg American, 10/25/2013
- 2. View Collier Motors
Collier Motors, 1928 Collier Motors' 10,000 square foot facility opened in 1927 at 410 West Pine Street. It served as the Hudson-Essex dealer for Forrest, Perry, Covington and Lamar County area and was operated by Richard D. Collier.
Source: Hattiesburg American, 1928
- 3. View Forrest Auto Company
Forrest Auto Company, 1925 Forrest Auto Company was the distributor of the Dodge line in Forrest County. It was located at 318-22 East Pine St. and was owned by J. A. Swayne.
Source: Hattiesburg American, 2/25/1925
- 4. View Haslett-Newsom Motors
Haslett-Newsom Motors advertisement, 1922 Haslett-Newsom Motors, 215 West Pine Street provided sales, parts and services for Studebakers. Henry Fuller was the Service Department manager.
Source: Hattiesburg American, 10/18/1922
- 5. View Hattiesburg Auto Sales
Hattiesburg Auto Sales advertisement, 1928 Hattiesburg Auto Sales began business operations in 1916 and distinguished itself as the city's oldest garage and auto sales agency. The Buick dealership was initially located across from the (downtown) post office and eventually moved to West Pine Street.
Source: Hattiesburg American, 10/1928
- 6. View Heidelberg Motors
Heidelberg Motors
advertisement, 1916Heidelberg Motors was located on East Pine Street and was owned by S. L Heidelberg. The advertisement shown promotes a $595.00 Chevrolet with an electric self-starter, generator and lights. The company was also an agent for Studebaker automobiles.
Source: Hattiesburg American, 5/29/1916
- 7. View McArthur Motors
McArthur Motors, 1928 McArthur Motors was located on East Pine Street and was owned by H. McArthur. I. I. Cook was an early assistant general manager. The dealership territory covered a 40 mile radius from Hattiesburg and provided sales, parts and services for the Chevrolet line.
SOURCE: Hattiesburg American, 10/1928
- 8. View Wright Motors
Wright Motors
advertisement, 1928Wright Motors was owned by M. M. Wright and opened in 1928. The dealership was originally located at 310 East Pine St. but later moved to the McInnis Building on West Pine. The company sold and serviced Studebakers and Erskines.
SOURCE: Hattiesburg American, 10/1928
Finally, Did You Know That...
In 1919, Mrs. Lottie B. Ellison of Rawls Springs (in Forrest County) was awarded a patent (#1,323,177) for her design of a special passenger-side automobile door that would accommodate a third front-seat rider without causing discomfort to other occupants. The door consisted of a retractable bottom section which, when flipped up, allowed an extra rider to sit on the floor while resting his/her feet on the outside running board. Modern safety standards would never allow such a configuration today, but this was 1919 when the auto industry was still in its infancy. Running boards began disappearing from automobiles in the late 1920's.