Group Tour Escort Manual - Mississippi

LAurEL
Population: 18,393
Main Industries: Poultry, Electrical Supplies, Oil, Wood Products
Famous Natives: Leontyne Price, Ralph Boston, Tom Lester, Ray Walston
Major Festivals/Events: Day In The Park, Ellisville Rotary Festival, Kiwanis Pancake Day, Main Street Festival, Mother’s Day
Blues Festival, Sertoma of Laurel Christmas Parade, South Mississippi Fair
Tourism Office Phone Number: 601-428-0574
l Laurel was founded in 1882.
l William Mason came to Laurel in the early 1920’s and in 1926 discovered hardboard.
l William Mason also established the Mason Fibre Company for the production of his new discovery. It was renamed
Masonite Corporation.
l Laurel’s Central Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
l Laurel is the home of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art which contains an outstanding collection of paintings and sculpture.
This was Mississippi’s first art museum.
l The museum also contains the world’s largest collection of handmade baskets.
l The Laurel Little Theater produces four to five plays annually and brings nationally acclaimed artists each year.
l Step back in time and enjoy a walking tour of the past at Landrum’s Homestead and Village.
l One of the largest custom foundries in the southwestern United States, Laurel Machine and Foundry.
l The largest manufacturers of electric distribution transformers, Howard Industries, Inc., which is also in the transportation,
electronic ballast and personal computer manufacturing business.
For more information about Laurel, visit www.jonescounty.com Landrum’s Homestead and Village