The old Hattiesburg High School actually consists of two buildings, the rear section built in 1911, and the more imposing and highly decorated section on the front constructed in 1921. Robert E. Lee, a popular and prolific Hattiesburg architect, designed the front addition in the Jacobethan style, a style thought to be more "cheerful" than the Neoclassical and Collegiate Gothic styles.

The large structure has stood vacant and deteriorating for several years and is threatened by neglect and vandalism. The Historic Hattiesburg Downtown Association owns the building and would like to redevelop the building but funds have been limited.

Most of the Indian Mounds in Mississippi are on privately owned land. As a result, many mounds in the state have been irreparably damaged or completely destroyed by modern development and looting. Indian mounds therefore are critically endangered cultural sites.

Mississippi mound sites mark centers of social and political authority. Every mound has its own chapter to tell in the unfolding story of the human past. Opportunities to discover more about these mounds and their builders disappear daily as erosion, farming, urban development, and looting continue to degrade these sites.

Untold numbers of the old monuments have already been lost, and secrets of our nation's past have vanished with them. The mounds that remain stand as a testament to the vitality, diversity, and creativity of their makers, who developed the complex societies of long ago. It is up to us to protect the mounds that are left so that future generations can continue to experience the wonder of these dramatic memorials of ancient times.

Pearlington Cemetery - Hancock County

One of the oldest cemeteries in Hancock County, Pearlington Cemetery is believed to date to the territorial period, but the earliest marked grave is 1824. The cemetery contains the graves of some of the earliest and most prominent settlers in Hancock County, including that of General George H. Nixon, who was a veteran of the War of 1812, and was elected to the first Mississippi State Legislature.

The cemetery association has limited funds to maintain the cemetery, which has suffered at the hands of vandals who have broken headstones and stolen gates, benches, urns, and statues.

The Robert Johnson Birthplace
circa 1905, Hazlehurst, Mississippi (Copiah County)

Robert Johnson was born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, May 8, 1911, but spent much of his early life in levee camps and on plantations in the northern Delta. Johnson began playing harmonica and associating with older blues musicians and later abandoned the harmonica for the guitar.

Many have dubbed Robert Johnson the father of modern rock and roll, and he is considered one of the most prolific artists of the early blues musicians. Although he did not live long enough to become as popular as many other blues artists, his music continues to influence musicians. Popular covers of his songs have been recorded by modern artists such as Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and many more.

Not only was Johnson a legendary bluesman, he was the subject of legend. Robert Johnson is supposed to have traveled to the crossroads near midnight to sell his soul to the devil, in exchange for being able to play anything on the guitar.

His birthplace was constructed circa 1905 and was moved nearly a mile from its original location when the interstate highway was constructed. The property is currently vacant and is rapidly deteriorating.

In our next story we head up to the Delta to where Robert Johnson spent most of his life. Here another building is in danger of being lost forever.

In its heyday the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elk, No. 148 Lodge, also known as the "Cotton Pickers" Elk Lodge, was the social center for Greenville. Originally chartered in 1890, the "Cotton Pickers" built their once proud Neo-classic home in Greenville in 1906 and opened the doors in 1907. The Greenville Times of February 16, 1907, described the building as including a billiard hall, a barbershop, and a full library decorated with rare and expensive oil paintings and as being lighted by both gas and electricity.

The "Cotton Pickers" Lodge has been converted many times since the Elks left. Now the home of the Mississippi Action for Community Education (M.A.C.E.), an organization committed to the preservation and education of African-American culture, the building is in urgent need of help. In the 1990's, M.A.C.E. and other concerned citizens saved the building several times from the bulldozer and had the building designated a Mississippi Landmark in 2002. If care is not taken soon to restore the building, the city could force demolition.

The J. Z. George Law Office here in Carrollton is where the states most dynamic leader in the era practiced law. Recognized as one of the most brilliant constitutional lawyers of his day, James Z. George is the main person responsible for the 1890 Mississippi Constitution. Today the office sits vacant and suffers from deterioration.

Our next endangered historic site also sits vacant and deteriorating. It’s located in Long Beach and the subject of our next story.

W.J. Quarles moved his family to Long Beach from Tennessee in 1884. Mr. Quarles was responsible for many firsts for Long Beach including organizing the first school in Long Beach in the front part of his house; building the first dry goods store; serving as postmaster when the first post office was set up in his store;and beginning the truck farming industry in Long Beach.

The second home of the Quarles family, better known as "Greenvale," was built in 1894. For years the house stood as one of the city's jewels and was known by some as the birthplace of Long Beach. In 1969, Hurricane Camille destroyed the first and second story gallery. Later in 1998, Hurricane George further damaged the house.

Now the house, which is vacant, is at the mercy of vandals and the elements. The family still owns the home and would like to see it restored but does not have the funds to do so. They are also facing increased pressure to sell the property for commercial development, which requires demolition of the house.

The Rodney Presbyterian Church was constructed in 1832, in the Federal Style, extremely rare in religious architecture in the state. This church that the Mississippi river abandoned has slipped into a period of decline and is threatened by the elements. This building is among the oldest surviving churches in Mississippi and is a key fixture in what remains of the town of Rodney.

Tivoli Hotel 1927, Biloxi, Mississippi (Harrison County)

In our next story we go inside one of the few remaining Grand Dame resorts of the 1920's. A roaring time when the Mississippi Gulf Coast was known as the American Riviera.

The Tivoli Hotel is one of the few remaining Grande Dame resorts of the 1920s - a roaring time when the Mississippi Gulf Coast was known as the American Riviera. The hotel was featured as an apartment hotel with 64 guest rooms on four floors. The first floor contained a striking barrel-vaulted lobby with a magnificent ballroom to one side and the large dining room to the other.

According to the newspaper accounts the Tivoli opened "in a whirl of dancing, a kaleidoscopic blaze of color and a musical festival of barbaric jazz."

Through the years, many attempts have been made to restore the building to its former glory, including plans to turn it into a halfway house, a resort, and a health center. Despite these efforts, the building still sits empty, waiting to be called a Grande Dame once again.

That’s it, Mississippi’s Ten Most Endangered Historic Places for 2003. Without awareness and protection, the places that we know as Mississippi will be lost forever. So lend your support by becoming a member of the Mississippi Heritage Trust and help save the historic places that make our state such a special place.

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