The Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood is located south and southeast of Historic Downtown Hattiesburg and west of the Leaf River. Within its borders is a smaller area that is the area listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

HHN is a well-maintained, 23-block area comprising approximately 450 structures within 115 acres that is remarkable because of its size, cohesiveness, compactness, and high percentage of architecturally significant structures.

Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood presents a showcase of the development of a timber town in southeast Mississippi. The neighborhood, founded in 1884, retains much of the appearance it acquired during its historical development by the founders of the city.

The condition of the district’s structures ranges from fair to excellent. Very few houses are vacant and beginning to deteriorate. Some descendants of those founders have continued to maintain several of the homes in this area.

While a number of residences were always well maintained, the acquisition and restoration of key houses since the early 1980s ignited the revitalization of HHN.

In 1981, HHN sued the City to require the posting of conspicuous signs on the property itself when zoning changes were proposed. The City conceded in a settlement, and consequently, HHN was able to send representatives to all city Planning Commissions meetings when neighborhood changes were being considered. HHN action provided valuable citizen input that prevented all such inappropriate changes in the following years.

​In the years to come, other organized neighborhoods, especially historic districts, took up the same policies. In 1988-89, HHN provided input to city planners and to the Planning Commission in the City’s revision of the zoning map.

HHN sought to keep the primarily residential character of the neighborhood and to have existing use be validated with zoning law. The new map was adopted in 1989.

Today, residents of the neighborhood include descendants of the city’s first families as well as newcomers of all ages from retirees to newlyweds. The neighbors remain united in their objectives of preserving the architectural integrity of the neighborhood, attracting new residents, and informing area citizens about the historic significance of the neighborhood and the importance of the revitalization and preservation of its houses.

Early founders of the neighborhood who were historically prominent citizens who built houses and resided in the neighborhood include:

• Dr. T.E. Ross (416 Bay Street), owner of the Central Business District’s Ross Building and a founder of Methodist Hospital.

• J.P. Carter (502 Court Street), owner of the Central Business District’s Carter Building, president of First National Bank of Commerce and city alderman.

• George Komp (122 Short Bay), owner of Komp Machine Works.

• W.M. Conner (106 Short Bay), local merchant, developer, alderman, and mayor of Hattiesburg.

• J.S. Turner (500 Bay Street), local land owner, lumberman, alderman, and organizer of the First National Bank of Commerce.

• W.W. Crawford (301 Court Street), founder of the South Mississippi Infirmary.

• F.B. Woodley (415 Walnut Street), superintendent of schools.

• Abner Polk (730 River Avenue), alderman and liveryman.

• Michael Rowan (401 Bay Street), roadmaster for the New Orleans and Northeastern and Mississippi Central Railroads.

• Paul B. Johnson Jr. and Sr. (Bay Street — house no longer there), governors of Mississippi.

In 1995, the Neighborhood Association purchased the Walthall School and grounds from the Hattiesburg Public School District. The Neighborhood Association created Walthall Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) entity, to own and operate the building and to provide for its future use and development.

The Foundation made improvements to the building and grounds and worked with a number of tenants. The Foundation subsequently deeded the property to Interaction Factory for the development of a hands-on children’s science and art museum.

​When the Walthall Foundation again received the title to this property in November 2005 after the Interaction Factory became inactive, one of the first actions by the Walthall Board was to develop goals and objectives for the Walthall School property.

The Board concluded that continued ownership and operation of this facility was beyond the scope of their resources and desires for ongoing management. In 2006, the Foundation sold the property to Walthall Development, LLC, for the development of condominiums that would maintain the Mississippi Landmark status of the building and National Register status as required by law.