Wiggins Depot (Mississippi)

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 / 30.85833°N 89.13806°W / 30.85833; -89.13806. 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]

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]

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]

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]