Gallery: Tatum Home
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.
(Note: On 11/5/25, web visitor David Roberts (DR) shared comments on some of these photos which we've included in the captions. We've also numbered the photos (#) to help with cross-references. Many thanks, David.)
)
(DR)- A porte-cochere was located on the
left side of the photo which faced McLeod St.
(DR)- a view of the stairs under the porte-cochere
facing McLeod St. The stairs lead to the
side door into the main stair hall.
(DR)- Believed to be in the dining room
(DR)- On the landing of the main staircase
(DR)- in the attic, and, I believe, shows the
dormer window looking towards Main St.,
above the entrance hall
(DR)- The fountain was sold when
the house was demolished. I believe it was
moved to a home in western part of town. [see photo (21)]
on display at Powe's former home
(DR)- A 6- or 8-sided gazebo-like structure
near the porte-cochere on the McLeod St. side
of the home. I'm confident it was 8-sided.
Placement in that location is a mystery.
Its visible on the left side of photo (1).
Postscript
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.
