Wiggins Depot (Mississippi) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wiggins Depot |
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Wiggins Depot, February 2017
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| Location | 115 East Hatten Avenue Wiggins, Mississippi 39577 |
| Built | 1910 |
| Built for | Gulf and Ship Island Railroad |
| Restored | 2002-05 & 2007-08 |
| Restored by | City of Wiggins |
| Architect | Kevin Fitzpatrick Bay Saint Louis, MS |
| Governing body | City of Wiggins |
| Official name: Gulf & Ship Island Railroad Depot (II) [Wiggins Depot] |
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| Designated | April 6, 1999 |
| Reference no. | 131-WIG-0004.2-ML |
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The Wiggins Depot is an old train station in Wiggins, Mississippi. It was built in 1910 by the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad (G&SIRR). This new station replaced an older one that burned down. For many years, the depot was used for storage and became quite run-down. But in 1999, the City of Wiggins took over the building. It was then named a special historic place called a Mississippi Landmark. In the early 2000s, the depot was moved to a new spot and fixed up. Now, it's used as office space.
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History of the Wiggins Train Station
The Gulf and Ship Island Railroad (G&SIRR) finished building its railway line on January 1, 1897. This line connected Gulfport and Hattiesburg. The town of Wiggins was a very busy place along this route.
In 1903, a company called Finkbine Lumber opened a new sawmill in Wiggins. This mill needed trains to bring in logs and to ship out lumber. The first G&SIRR train station in Wiggins was a two-story building. Sadly, it was destroyed by a fire on January 21, 1910.
Building the New Depot
The new G&SIRR train station was built in 1910. It was a one-story building made of wood. It stood right next to the railroad tracks. The depot was about 110 feet (33.5 meters) long and 25 feet (7.6 meters) wide. It did not have special platforms for loading.
Over the years, the ownership of the railroad line changed. In 1924, the G&SIRR became part of the Illinois Central Railroad. Later, in 1986, MidSouth Rail Corporation bought the line. Finally, in 1994, the Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCS) purchased it.
By the late 1900s, the Wiggins train station was in poor condition. It was mostly used for storage. Sometimes, railroad workers used it as an office. The Wiggins depot was special because it was the only one left from the 14 G&SIRR stations built between Gulfport and Hattiesburg.
Becoming a Mississippi Landmark
The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCS) agreed to give the depot to the City of Wiggins. The only rule was that the city had to move it off railroad land. On April 6, 1999, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History named the depot a Mississippi Landmark. This meant it was an important historic building.
The City of Wiggins received permission to move and fix up the depot. The plan was to use it for community events, tourism, and offices that help with local business.
Restoring the Wiggins Depot
On December 6, 2000, the depot was moved about three city blocks. It went to a new spot owned by the city. This land was traded with Stone County. Because the depot was a Mississippi Landmark, it could get money for its restoration.
The money came from a special program that used federal funds (80%) and local funds (20%). The work to fix up the depot started about 18 months after it was moved.
Completing the Restoration
The first restoration of the depot finished in the summer of 2005. Architect Kevin Fitzpatrick led this project. The Stone County Economic Development Partnership (SCEDP) moved into the building in August 2005.
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit south Mississippi. Luckily, the depot only had minor damage from the storm.
Tornado Damage and Repair
On January 4, 2007, a tornado struck the depot. It destroyed half of the roof. An architectural company from Biloxi was chosen to plan the repairs.
The damage from the tornado was fixed using money from an insurance settlement. The Stone County Economic Development Partnership moved back into the depot in June 2009.
As of 2021, the Wiggins Depot is still used as office space for the Stone County Economic Development Partnership.
Images for kids
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Wiggins Depot, February 2017
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Original G&SIRR Depot (center right) in Wiggins before the 1910 fire
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Wiggins Depot at its original location in the 1960s
