Hattiesburg Area Historical Society...preserving local history and heritage since 1970
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Gallery: Tatum Home

Classic Tatum Home post card
Classic Tatum Home post card

W.S.F. Tatum was an influential businessman during Hattiesburg's early history. He was a leader in the timber industry and served as the city's mayor from 1922 to 1925 and 1929 to 1937. Tatum's home on 808 N. Main Street was a classic show place for many years until 1965 when it was announced that the structure would be torn down to make way for a hotel (The Red Carpet Inn).

The Tatum home was opened to the public one last time on the day preceding it's actual demolition. We're fortunate to have archival snapshots that were taken on that day 60 years ago. While the images are grainy and the color faded, we hope you enjoy this glimpse of a grand Hub City landmark from yesteryear.


Roadside view- 1
Roadside view- 1
Roadside view- 2
Roadside view- 2
Roadside view- 3
Roadside view- 3
Front- 1
Front- 1
Front- 2
Front- 2
Front- 3
Front- 3
Front- 4
Front- 4
Front- 5
Front- 5
Front- outside stairs
Front- outside stairs
Inside stairs
Inside stairs
Unidentified cabinet
Unidentified cabinet
Stained glass window
Stained glass window
Unidentified room -1
Unidentified room- 1
Unidentified room- 2
Unidentified room- 2
Fireplace- 1
Fireplace- 1
Fireplace- 2
Fireplace- 2
Unidentified door
Unidentified door
Wash basin & radiator
Wash basin & radiator
Fountain
Fountain
Stable/carriage house exterior
Stable/carriage house exterior
Stable/carriage house interior- 1
Stable/carriage house interior- 1
Stable/carriage house interior- 2
Stable/carriage house interior- 2
Unidentified building
Unidentified building

As a footnote to history, the hotel that replaced the original Tatum home eventually closed and was converted to HFD Station #1 in 1979. After the building suffered structural damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the remains were eventually demolished. A new HFD Station #1 opened in 2010 and currently occupies the land where the N. Main Street house originally stood.

The former Red Carpet Inn under demolition
The former Red Carpet Inn under demolition
The former Red Carpet Inn & the new HFD Station #1
The former Red Carpet Inn (left) & the new HFD Station #1 (right) under construction
The new HFD Station #1 under construction
The new HFD Station #1 under construction

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