Wiggins, Mississippi
Encyclopedia
Wiggins is a city in Stone County
, Mississippi
, United States
. It is part of the Gulfport
–Biloxi
, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area
. The population was 3,849 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Stone County
.
.
On January 21, 1910, between the hours of 11 am and 1 pm, more than half of the Wiggins business district was destroyed by fire. The fire started from unknown origin in the Hammock Building, a lodging house, and spread rapidly because of strong winds from the northwest. With no city fire department or waterworks, the residents of Wiggins resorted to bucket brigades and dynamite to stop the fire, which was confined to the east side of the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad
. The fire consumed 41 business establishments, including the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad depot. Only two or three residential dwellings were destroyed, because most homes were built away from the business district.
Wiggins has long been known for its pickle production, and at one time boasted of being home to the world's largest pickle plant. However, the pickle plant is closed now, and although the timber industry has declined since the boom years, it still sustains many businesses in Wiggins.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 11.3 square miles (29.3 km²), of which, 10.8 square miles (28 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it (4.53%) is water. The entrance to Flint Creek Water Park
is located in the city, off Highway 29.
of 2000, there were 3,849 people, 1,380 households, and 1,000 families residing in the city. The population density
was 357.8 people per square mile (138.1/km²). There were 1,546 housing units at an average density of 143.7 per square mile (55.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 67.60% White, 31.51% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.31% from other races
, and 0.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.
There were 1,380 households out of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples
living together, 21.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,597, and the median income for a family was $31,591. Males had a median income of $27,262 versus $20,801 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $13,813. About 22.3% of families and 25.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.6% of those under age 18 and 18.8% of those age 65 or over.
Stone County, Mississippi
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,622 people, 4,747 households, and 3,626 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile . There were 5,343 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is part of the Gulfport
Gulfport, Mississippi
Gulfport is the second largest city in Mississippi after the state capital Jackson. It is the larger of the two principal cities of the Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Mississippi Combined Statistical Area. As of the...
–Biloxi
Biloxi, Mississippi
Biloxi is a city in Harrison County, Mississippi, in the United States. The 2010 census recorded the population as 44,054. Along with Gulfport, Biloxi is a county seat of Harrison County....
, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area
Gulfport-Biloxi metropolitan area
The Gulfport-Biloxi Metropolitan Statistical Area is a metropolitan area in the Mississippi Gulf Coast region that covers three counties - Hancock, Harrison, and Stone. As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 246,190. The area was significantly impacted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. A...
. The population was 3,849 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Stone County
Stone County, Mississippi
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,622 people, 4,747 households, and 3,626 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile . There were 5,343 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
.
History
Wiggins is named after Wiggins Hatten, the father of Madison Hatten, one of the area's original homesteaders. It was incorporated in 1904, and the 1910 census reported 980 residents. In the early 1900s, Wiggins prospered along with the booming timber industry. Wiggins was once headquarters of the Finkbine Lumber CompanyFinkbine-Guild Lumber Company
The Finkbine-Guild Lumber Company was established to harvest and market the virgin longleaf pine stands of southern Mississippi during the early 20th century. The main sawmills were located in Wiggins and D'Lo, Mississippi...
.
On January 21, 1910, between the hours of 11 am and 1 pm, more than half of the Wiggins business district was destroyed by fire. The fire started from unknown origin in the Hammock Building, a lodging house, and spread rapidly because of strong winds from the northwest. With no city fire department or waterworks, the residents of Wiggins resorted to bucket brigades and dynamite to stop the fire, which was confined to the east side of the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad
Gulf and Ship Island Railroad
The Gulf and Ship Island Railroad was constructed in the state of Mississippi, USA, at the turn of the 20th century to open a vast expanse of southern yellow pine forests for commercial harvest. In spite of economic uncertainty, entrepreneurs William H. Hardy and Joseph T. Jones successfully...
. The fire consumed 41 business establishments, including the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad depot. Only two or three residential dwellings were destroyed, because most homes were built away from the business district.
Wiggins has long been known for its pickle production, and at one time boasted of being home to the world's largest pickle plant. However, the pickle plant is closed now, and although the timber industry has declined since the boom years, it still sustains many businesses in Wiggins.
Geography
Wiggins is located at 30°51′31"N 89°8′16"W (30.858559, -89.137860).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 11.3 square miles (29.3 km²), of which, 10.8 square miles (28 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it (4.53%) is water. The entrance to Flint Creek Water Park
Flint Creek Water Park
Flint Creek Water Park, located in Wiggins, Mississippi, is part of the Pat Harrison Waterway District, which is a Mississippi State Agency providing outdoor recreation and management of the Pascagoula River Basin. The purpose of the nine water parks located in southeast and east-central...
is located in the city, off Highway 29.
Transportation
- Airport: Dean Griffin Memorial Airport
- Highways: U.S. Highway 49, Mississippi Highway 26, Mississippi Highway 29
- Railroad: Kansas City Southern Railroad
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,849 people, 1,380 households, and 1,000 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 357.8 people per square mile (138.1/km²). There were 1,546 housing units at an average density of 143.7 per square mile (55.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 67.60% White, 31.51% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.31% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.
There were 1,380 households out of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 21.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,597, and the median income for a family was $31,591. Males had a median income of $27,262 versus $20,801 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $13,813. About 22.3% of families and 25.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.6% of those under age 18 and 18.8% of those age 65 or over.
Education
- The City of Wiggins is served by the Stone County School DistrictStone County School DistrictThe Stone County School District is a public school district based in Wiggins, Mississippi . The district's boundaries parallel that of Stone County.-Schools:*Stone High School*Stone Middle School*Stone Elementary School*Perkinston Elementary School...
- Vardaman Street Christian Academy (A private school, serving K-4 through Grade 10)
Media
- Stone County Enterprise, "Your hometown newspaper since 1916" — Heather Freret, Publisher
- WIGG AM Radio. Currently off the air. License expires June 1, 2012.
Business Organizations
- Stone County Economic Development Partnership — Jay Paul Gumm, Executive Director
- Wiggins Rotary ClubRotary InternationalRotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
Notable Residents (past and present)
- William Joel BlassWilliam Joel BlassWilliam Joel Blass is an American war veteran, attorney, educator, and politician.Joel Blass was born in Clinton, MS and was educated in Mississippi and Louisiana during the Great Depression. He graduated from Louisiana State University School of Law in 1940 and received a commission as Second...
, attorney and educator - Chris Boykin, CEO of Big Black Inc.
- Jay Hanna Dizzy DeanDizzy DeanJay Hanna "Dizzy" Dean was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the last National League pitcher to win 30 games in one season. Dean was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953....
, professional baseball player and radio personality, lived in the nearby Bond community - Anthony HerreraAnthony HerreraAnthony Herrera was an American actor.-Career:Among roles in various movies, he is most known—and most hated—for his role as the evil James Stenbeck on the soap opera As the World Turns, a role he has played off and on from 1980 to 1984, from 1986 to 1989, in 1996, from 1997 to 1999, in 2001 and...
, actor, soap opera star - Boyce HollemanBoyce HollemanJesse Boyce Holleman was an American war veteran, attorney, politician, and actor.Boyce Holleman was born in Fruitland Park, MS, to a family that made their living in timber and construction. As a Naval Aviator in World War II, he was shot down while making a bomb run during the invasion of Saipan...
, attorney and actor - Fred LewisFred LewisFrederick Deshaun Lewis is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He made his debut on September 1, , with the San Francisco Giants. He is the cousin of former major league outfielder Matt Lawton. Lewis also hit the 46th Splash Hit at AT&T Park...
, Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
outfielder - Stevon MooreStevon MooreStevon Moore is an American former football player who was selected by the New York Jets in the 7th round of the 1989 NFL Draft. A 5'11", 204-lb. safety from the University of Mississippi, Moore played in nine NFL seasons from 1990-1999....
, retired from NFL Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Baltimore RavensBaltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
. - Taylor SpreitlerTaylor SpreitlerTaylor Spreitler is an American actress and former model. Taylor portrayed the role of Mia McCormick on the NBC soap opera Days of our Lives, from January 2009 until June 2010...
, actress - Emilie Blackmore StappEmilie Blackmore StappEmilie Blackmore Stapp was an American children's author and philanthropist whose writing career spanned over 50 years. She was born in Madison, Indiana on July 4, 1876 and died June 29, 1962, in Wiggins, Mississippi where she is buried...
, author and philanthropist
See also
- Camp Iti Kana
- Camp TiakFruitland Park, MississippiFruitland Park is a small unincorporated town in southern Forrest County, Mississippi, United States. It is part of the Hattiesburg, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. Camp Tiak, a Boy Scouts of America camp with a 1-mile educational forest trail, is located in Fruitland Park.- History :The...
- De Soto National ForestDe Soto National ForestDe Soto National Forest is of pine forests in southern Mississippi. It offers year-round opportunities for outdoor activities including camping, canoeing, hunting, fishing, and more. There are two wilderness areas within DeSoto: Black Creek Wilderness and Leaf River Wilderness...
- Dizzy Dean Rest Stop
- Finkbine-Guild Lumber CompanyFinkbine-Guild Lumber CompanyThe Finkbine-Guild Lumber Company was established to harvest and market the virgin longleaf pine stands of southern Mississippi during the early 20th century. The main sawmills were located in Wiggins and D'Lo, Mississippi...
- Flint Creek Water ParkFlint Creek Water ParkFlint Creek Water Park, located in Wiggins, Mississippi, is part of the Pat Harrison Waterway District, which is a Mississippi State Agency providing outdoor recreation and management of the Pascagoula River Basin. The purpose of the nine water parks located in southeast and east-central...
- Gulf and Ship Island RailroadGulf and Ship Island RailroadThe Gulf and Ship Island Railroad was constructed in the state of Mississippi, USA, at the turn of the 20th century to open a vast expanse of southern yellow pine forests for commercial harvest. In spite of economic uncertainty, entrepreneurs William H. Hardy and Joseph T. Jones successfully...
- Leaf River Wildlife Management AreaLeaf River Wildlife Management AreaLeaf River Wildlife Management Area was established in 1940 out of land owned by the U.S. Forest Service. Located within the De Soto National Forest off Mississippi Highway 26 and east of Wiggins, Mississippi, it is composed of approximately of pine forest....
- Mississippi Gulf CoastMississippi Gulf CoastThe Mississippi Gulf Coast refers to the three Mississippi counties which lie on the Gulf of Mexico: Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties.The region was severely damaged by Hurricane Camille in 1969 and again by Hurricane Katrina in 2005....
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community CollegeMississippi Gulf Coast Community CollegeMississippi Gulf Coast Community College consists of four campuses and four centers: the main campus, located in Perkinston, Mississippi; the Jackson County Campus, in Gautier; the Jefferson Davis Campus, in Gulfport; the Community Campus, a non-traditional campus without walls; the George County...
- Ramsey Springs, MississippiRamsey Springs, MississippiRamsey Springs is an unincorporated community in Stone County, Mississippi, United States. It is part of the Gulfport–Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
- Sweetbay Bogs PreserveSweetbay Bogs PreserveSweetbay Bogs Preserve was established in 1989 by the Mississippi Chapter of the Nature Conservancy. The property contains a classic example of a hillside seepage bog which the Conservancy designated as Sweetbay Bogs Preserve because of the multitude of sweetbay trees that occupy the site...