Wiggins Depot (Mississippi)

The Wiggins Depot was constructed in Wiggins, Mississippi in 1910 by the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad (G&SIRR) to serve as a replacement for the company’s original depot that was destroyed by fire in January of the same year.[4] In the later half of the 20th century, the depot was being used only for storage and had fallen into disrepair. In 1999, the depot was acquired by the City of Wiggins and was designated a Mississippi Landmark. During the first decade of the 21st century, the depot was relocated within the city and was renovated for use as office space.

Wiggins Depot
Wiggins Depot, February 2017
Location115 East Hatten Avenue
Wiggins, Mississippi 39577[1]
Coordinates30.86204°N 89.13757°W / 30.86204; -89.13757
Built1910
Built forGulf and Ship Island Railroad
Restored2002-05 & 2007-08
Restored byCity of Wiggins
ArchitectKevin Fitzpatrick
Bay Saint Louis, MS
Governing bodyCity of Wiggins
Mississippi Landmark
Official name: Gulf & Ship Island Railroad
Depot (II) [Wiggins Depot][2]
DesignatedApril 6, 1999
Reference no.131-WIG-0004.2-ML[3]
Location of Wiggins Depot in Mississippi

History
Original G&SIRR Depot (center right) in Wiggins before the 1910 fire

The G&SIRR was completed between Gulfport and Hattiesburg on January 1, 1897, and the town of Wiggins was the busiest population center along that route.[4][5] In 1903, Finkbine Lumber Company opened a new sawmill in Wiggins,[6] which required rail transportation for delivering logs to the mill and for shipping lumber to outside markets. The original G&SIRR depot in Wiggins was a two-story structure, but it was destroyed by fire on January 21, 1910.[4]

The replacement G&SIRR depot was a one-story, wood-frame structure completed in 1910. It was located next to the railroad at 30°51′30″N 89°08′17″W. Without loading docks, the depot measured 110 feet (34 m) long and 25 feet (7.6 m) wide.

In 1924, G&SIRR became a subsidiary of Illinois Central Railroad and lost its independent identity in 1946.[7] MidSouth Rail Corporation acquired the Illinois Central Railroad line from Gulfport to Hattiesburg in 1986,[8] and Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCS) purchased the line in 1994.[9]

Wiggins Depot at its original location in 1960s

By the end of the 20th century, the Wiggins depot had fallen into a state of disrepair and was being used only for storage and as periodic office space by railroad personnel. Out of 14 G&SIRR depots built, the Wiggins depot was the only one still standing between Gulfport and Hattiesburg.[10][11] KCS agreed to donate the depot to the City of Wiggins with the stipulation that it be moved off railroad property.[12] Mississippi Department of Archives and History designated the depot a Mississippi Landmark on April 6, 1999, and issued a permit to the City of Wiggins for relocation and restoration of the structure with the intent of housing community activities, tourism functions, and offices for economic development.[13]

Restoration

On December 6, 2000, the depot was moved approximately 3 blocks to its new location on City property that was acquired in a land swap with Stone County.[12] After the depot was designated a Mississippi Landmark, it qualified for a restoration grant under the Mississippi Department of Transportation Enhancement Program[14] using federally allocated funds (80%) and local funding (20%).[12] Restoration began approximately 18 months after the depot was secured at its new location.[15]

During the summer of 2005, restoration of the depot was completed under the direction of architect Kevin Fitzpatrick, and Stone County Economic Development Partnership (SCEDP) occupied the building in mid-August of that year.[11] On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck south Mississippi, but caused only minor damage to the depot.[16]

Tornado

On the night of January 4, 2007, a tornado hit the depot and destroyed half the roof.[16][17][18] The architectural firm of Williams & Associates in Biloxi, was selected to plan the restoration.[19] The tornado damage was repaired using funds obtained through an insurance settlement, and SCEDP moved back into the depot in June 2009.[20]

As of 2020, the Wiggins Depot still served as office space for Stone County Economic Development Partnership.[1]

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References
  1. Stone County Economic Development Partnership Retrieved 2020-01-03
  2. Mississippi Department of Archives and History Historic Resources Inventory Fact Sheet—Wiggins Depot Retrieved 2013-12-09
  3. "Mississippi Landmarks—Stone County" (PDF). Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-10-09. Retrieved 2013-12-09.
  4. Wiggins fire. Retrieved 2013-12-12
  5. Mississippi Rails: Gulf & Ship Island Railroad Retrieved 2013-12-09
  6. Mississippi Rails: Finkbine Lumber Company Retrieved 2013-12-09
  7. Gulf & Ship Island Railroad Index
  8. Midsouth Rail Corporation completes purchase—The Southern Herald Retrieved 2013-12-09
  9. The Kansas City Southern Lines—Midsouth Railroad Corporation Retrieved 2013-12-09
  10. Transportation Enhancement Project Application—Wiggins Depot, March 16, 1999. Prepared by City of Wiggins, Russell Hatten, Mayor.
  11. Historic depot once again center of activity. Stone County Enterprise (August 17, 2005).
  12. Historic Wiggins Depot; on the move to a new location. Stone County Enterprise (December 6, 2000).
  13. Mississippi Department of Archives and History Minutes of a Meeting of the Board of Trustees (April 23, 1999) Retrieved 2013-12-11
  14. MDOT Transportation Enhancement Program Retrieved 2013-12-12
  15. Work to begin on Depot. Stone County Enterprise (June 12, 2002).
  16. Tornado takes Wiggins’ historic train depot Retrieved 2013-12-10
  17. NOAA Storm Prediction Center Reports for 01/04/07 Retrieved 2013-12-10
  18. Torn to pieces—twister ruins historic Wiggins train depot. SunHerald (January 6, 2007).
  19. Depot to be repaired Retrieved 2013-12-10
  20. SCEDP announces move to historic depot. Stone County Enterprise (June 17, 2009).
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