Since then, every state that the river flows through has imposed strict cautions that warn people to report alligator sightings immediately and stay out of the water unless supervised. As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 18,393 people, 6,925 households, and 4,542 families residing in the city. "The alligator itself is an apex predator. This year (season ended Sept. 17) we had several 500-pound plus.". Thank you! The alligators can also often be seen lounging around along the banks of the lakes. My mother had been here for so long that after a period of time, she owned all the stock. [22][23], The Mississippi Department of Mental Health South Mississippi State Hospital Crisis Intervention Center is in Laurel. Through LDWF's extensive research and wise management that includes sustainable wild harvest and alligator farming, Louisiana's wild alligator population has increased from less than 100,000 to more than 2 million in the past 50 years.There are also nearly 1 million alligators on farms in . Males had a median income of $27,077 versus $17,336 for females. The city's population grew markedly during the early 20th century because rural people were attracted to manufacturing jobs and the economic takeoff of Masonite International. In 2010, I started a bakery out of a 10- by 14-foot building beside our house. Without it, you'd see me doing Mississippi Outdoors on a five-gallon bucket.". However, the last significant sighting dates back to 2017, when someone from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stated that he saw three alligators at the lake. Thanks for reading this post on where to see alligators in Mississippi. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.5 males. "They (Florida) have a tremendously larger. I've got about 18 or 20 on my staff. Whena tooth breaks off, a new one grows to take its place. Common throughout North America, the Thin-Legged Wolf Spider will send chills down your spine just by looking at it! As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 17,161. As long as people and alligators have shared Mississippi, there have been people who hunted the creatures. Are there alligators in the Mississippi River?Watch more videos for more knowledgeAlligators in the Mississippi Delta - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch. Climate Normals Quick Access Station: Laurel, MS", "2020 CENSUS SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Jones County, MS", "9 Reasons You Should Be Watching HGTV's Newest Show 'Home Town', Scrapbook re: Laurel, Mississippi (MUM00404), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Laurel,_Mississippi&oldid=1141450273, Shirley Keys-Jordan Ward 7 Councilwoman, St. John's Day School (affiliated with the Episcopal Church), This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 03:44. Their eyes, ears, and nostrils are placed on top of their long head and project slightly above the water when the reptiles float at the surface, as they . To find the gator pond, turn right onto Robert McGhee Road from Park Road. He is also one of the 25 people in the state that can legally trap alligators. In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.9% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. Mr. A lot of outsiders are unaware of this fact, which is quite alright because the last thing we need is a ton of people swarming to our state. Alligators are large reptiles with armored bodies, four short legs and a flat tail. "The potential is there," said Ricky Flynt, Alligator Program Coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. With so many of these predators roaming around, one might anticipate fatal alligator attacks are a regular occurrence. 8. This alligator was captured September 2 by John Hamilton, who found it in Eagle Lake, north of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Smith said. here in living color is proof that there once were alligators, and this is what they looked like! Yes, there are alligators all over Mississippi but the highest populations of alligators are found in the southeast region of the state. Alligators can be found in every county of the state, but southeast Mississippi reigns king. Okay, you have to admit, hes kind of cute. In an argument, Blanche tells Harold Mitchell she's brought many victims into her web, and calls the hotel the Tarantula Arms rather than the Hotel Flamingo. To get this huge gator out of the water, Wayne used his gator fishing line, bait, truck and son Bo Parker to help out. In the process, they can lose teeth, along with when they fight. But it can also be a killer. Reuben Lott actually had 11 Mr. Lott stores around the state, but he had no heirs, so he sold his stores to the employees. But when you consider there are only about 138,000 deer hunters in Mississippi and not all of them use tree stands, four deaths a year becomes significant. Address: Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, 13723 Bluff Lake Road, Brooksville, Mississippi 39739, Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, sunrise to sunset. After that sighting, specific cautions advise lake visitors to report to the authorities once they spot an alligator during their visit to the lake. In the years since, shes had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as Parents & Kids Magazine and Girl Meets Strong. I actually said it out loud. They also have a denser (human) population near water. By the 1920sthe peak of Laurel's lumber productionthe area's four mills were producing a total of one million board feet of lumber per day. Check out the alligators of Hattiesburg Zoo in the video below: There have also been some reports of alligators in Laurel, Mississippi. Adrien Lamarre, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / public domain License. It's the tree stand. Asides from writing, I enjoy surfing the internet and listening to music. "Not in the recorded history of Mississippi history, anyway.". I watched the town die and saw the people try to save it." You might recognize Erin and her husband, Bentwo of Laurel's biggest championsfrom their HGTV makeover show Home Town. Thank you for reading! Im slowly working my way around the world and sharing my journey as I go. The zoo also runs a Gator Feeding session every Sunday at 1:30pm where you can watch the alligators being fed. They won't be seen swimming in the main channel of the river. He had a bird's-eye view. "Not only in terms of the overall numbers, but Jackson and Hancock counties rank as the top two counties for preferred habitat for alligators," Flynt said. Kamper and Lewin's mill was located in an area that would later become Laurel's First Avenue. Comprised of various natural habitats such as wetlands, woods, forests, grasslands, and beach fronts, it is no surprise that wildlife is diverse and plentiful in the southern state of Mississippi. Alligators . For a town with a size of only 18,000 people, that is a very big deal! Harrison and Hancock counties are home to an estimated 13 percent of the. Alligators have an ancestry dating back millions of years in the fossil record and have remained largely unchanged. I'm an HGTV junkie, so one night I was hunched over my computer, and here came a new TV show, Home Townfirst season, first episode. The residents of Laurel pulled together to transform the small town they called home. I wasn't a businessperson; I'm just a mom. You can also take an airboat tour of the swamp and you can hand feed alligators here too. Here in Mississippi, coming across animals on the road is almost as common as coming across other motorists. By the 1990s, its downtown was mostly abandoned, with businesses shuttered and buildings crumbling. Alligators can remain submerged for 12-24 hours. In 1906, the Gilchrist-Fordney Company, whose founders hailed from Alpena, Michigan, began construction on their own lumber mill in Laurel. Mammals in the park range from tiny, secretive northern shrews to more obvious animals such as otters, beavers, coyotes, and white-tailed deer. Alligators can also be found within the lake premises, with the most relevant sighting dating back to 2013 when festival-goers near the lake spotted and took a picture of a gator at Grenada Lake. The real catalyst here happened a little over eight years ago, when Judi Holifield became the director of Laurel Main Street. And of course it's Erin & Ben Napier's home town. It's part of the magic of this place, where a devoted mayor, Johnny Magee, and a bevy of inspired citizens live their deep commitment. The three-foot gator turned up at the restaurant location on Leontyne Price Boulevard. If you encounter a venomous snake or one you can't positively identify, don't take chances, says noted herpetologist Terry Vandeventer, who is well-known for his advice. [2] It is located northeast of Ellisville, the first county seat, which contains the first county courthouse. In 1802, fifteen years before Mississippi became our 20th state, the American alligator received its current scientific name, Alligator mississippiensis, thanks to the efforts of French zoologist Franois M. Daudin.. Consequently, the alligator got its name from the river where the specimen lived, not the state of Mississippi. But when people interact with the reptiles, such as by feeding them, they become more comfortable around humans and the risk of conflict dramatically rises. "We've never had a single documented attack. "In a natural setting, a bear in the woods and you're walking in the woods, the chance of an encounter is slim to none. When it is warm, youll often see the alligators resting on the bank of the pond. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. That's my measure. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. "It has a huge amount of food resources between fresh and salt water. I explained my cataracts theory, and this woman behind the counter looked at me and said, 'I'll take you.' From deer to alligators, theres no telling whats waiting outside your front door. My grandmother owned a restaurant, and because I was the oldest grandchild and a girl, she always had me around. The rebirth of Laurel, Mississippi, is proof of what real people can do with a little creativity, a lot of commitment, and a deep well of love. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. So, the next time you hear someone talking about wanting to move to Mississippi, politely remind them of these 15 reasons they definitely would not like living in the Magnolia State. According to Newsweek, it is estimated that there are around 1.3 million alligators in Florida. This is called temperature-depended sex determination. The sex of an alligatoris determined by the temperature of the egg at around 21 days of incubation. Danielle Claro is a New York Times bestselling author, editor, and book coach who specializes in bringing esoteric topics down to earth. As you approach downtown Laurel from I-59, the first thing that you see is a massive mural. Some years ago, during a drought, a 3' one was found . I grew up in a community called the KC in a three-room shotgun house. Stay at Bonnie's Laurel Cottage, a super-friendly place owned by Bonnie McConkey (it's about five minutes from downtown). It is believed that there are somewhat more than 30,000 alligators in Mississippi, with the majority residing in the state's southern region. Here are just a handful of the locals who are living that mottoand bringing back this extraordinary yet ordinary town. (WHLT) An alligator must really love that chicken from Popeyes! (AP) The lower three counties of South Mississippi are home to 38 percent of the state's alligators. If youre looking for somewhere to see alligators in Mississippi then youre in the right place. Gardiner Park. Following the 1881 construction of the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad through the area,[3] economic development occurred rapidly. West Nile virus does not make the headlines quite like it did years ago, but cases continue to be reported. "Take two steps back and walk away," Vandeventer preaches. The amount of alligator habitat in Mississippi is only a fraction of that in Florida.". Get a straight-razor shave from Jeremy Williams, the barber in the back of men's-clothing shop Guild & Gentry. In 1893, the new Eastman-Gardiner Company mill began operations, using the best technology and labor-saving devices of the day. Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. Right across the street from City Hall used to be the Pinehurst Hotel. "They're shutting down their respiratory system. That was one of the things that propelled me to get into city government: I didn't want younger residents to say, 'I don't want to stay here.' "You're asking to be made an example out of.". Still, the most relevant can be dated to last year, in 2021, when someone spotted a 12-foot gator within the Pascagoula River drainage system. "I've had alligators that I had to use both hands, but smaller alligators, 7 to 8-feet-long, I can hold them shut with one hand all day," Flynt said. According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their home. That animal would likely come from the Pascagoula River basin that's filled with swamp grass, trees, baitfish and other animals. Major employers include Howard Industries, Sanderson Farms, Masonite International, Family Health Center, Howse Implement, Thermo-Kool, and South Central Regional Medical Center. As each person would retire, their stock would get bought by the other employees. What Happens To The Gorgeous Furnishings Featured On HGTV 'Home Town'? The location of that shotgun house I grew up in was 401 South Cooks Avenue. Nearly everyone you talk to in Laurel points to Judi Holifield as a powerful agent of change in the community. Alligator Lifespan: How Long do Alligators Live? "I mean, we were just kids, but Judi knew how to get grants and really make things happen.". They're also right here in Lexington County around the Congaree River, in small creeks, and even in some private ponds in areas you may not expect. The per capita income for the city was $15,561. In 1942, Howard Wash, a 45-year-old African-American man who had been convicted of murder, was dragged from jail and lynched by a mob. There have been several sightings of heavyweight alligators in the river. In addition to influencing a diverse architectural district, the "timber families" of Laurel influenced the building of the town's broad avenues, the design of numerous public parks, and the development of strong public schools.[9]. It has many large lakes that serve as a refuge for all kinds of animals including alligators. "In fact, we have never had a reported alligator attack on humans in Mississippi. Shes also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience. "She's a force," says Erin. Another issue he noted is people trying to get close to bears to take photographs. Laurel is in north-central Jones County, 8 miles (13km) northeast of Ellisville, the first county seat. The average household size was 2.61, and the average family size was 3.21. explained what items had to be ordered online, and gave hints about spending wisely. With over 408,000 acres of possible alligator habitat, an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators have lived in Mississippi. The best way to see alligators in this river is by getting out onto the water with a boat tour. "They're shutting down their circulatory system," Flynt said. According to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, "the American alligator is found in the United States from North Carolina to the Rio Grande in Texas. Laurel, MS Weather Forecast | AccuWeather Current Weather 8:18 PM 72 F RealFeel 71 Air Quality Fair Wind SW 6 mph Wind Gusts 6 mph Partly cloudy More Details Current Air Quality Today 2/27. Nationwide, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports there are 7,000-8,000 snake bites annually. Mississippi Highway 15 passes through the south and west sides of the city, leading northwest 24 miles (39km) to Bay Springs and southeast 28 miles (45km) to Richton. In a state known for its friendly residents, you can expect to engage in some small talk just about anywhere you goand its great. "There is no question that the coastal region, especially the Pascagoula River, is home to some of the largest alligators in Mississippi," Flynt said. Alligators living in states without alligator hunters can reproduce more and attain greater sizes. Even so, with several deaths each year in Mississippi, West Nile-carrying mosquitoes pose a danger. I would not be surprised if we see one (1,000 pounds). Not only are the mosquitoes huge, theyre relentless. City government consists of a mayor-council form. 'I was very suspicious':Fishweir, possibly hundreds of years old, found in Mississippi. A husband and wife duo (Ben & Erin) show their pride in their hometown of Laurel, MS by redoing and remodeling older homes that are being purchased. Of the 55 different kinds of snakes in Mississippi, only six are venomous. Adult alligators have between 74 and 84 teeth. "On a scale of one to 10, maybe a two," Flynt said. "I said man, this beats everything I've ever seen," Wayne said. My son is there, and my daughter-in-law, who's like my best friend. Of those, about five are fatal each year. But it didn't always seem that way. "I can't wait to get it on the bank.". "That lifeline will save your life," Newell said. The most relevant alligator sighting here happened in 2011 when a visitor at the lake spotted and captured a photo of a small 3-foot alligator at the Mississippi River. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 2023 www.clarionledger.com. Laid end to end, that amount of lumber would stretch 189 miles. Did you know that 84 species of reptiles, 426 species of birds, and over 120 species of fish make Mississippi their forever home? According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their home. Flynt said Mississippi has a solid alligator population of about 50,000, and 25 percent of that total population call the Pascagoula River basin home. I've always had this idea that true community comes down to one thing: Is there somebody who can take you to get your cataracts removed when the time comes? They have a long rounded snout with upward facing nostrils so they can breathe while the rest of . Hi, my name is Meg and, you guessed it, I love to travel. In person it is even more of a stunner. Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks estimates, Where To See Crocodiles & Alligators In California Complete Guide, Where To See Alligators In Louisiana Complete Guide, Where To See Flamingos In Florida Complete Guide. I do everything I can now to help people know that they can stay here and make a living, be comfortable, and be happy. In Mississippi, there is no record of an alligator attack, fatal or not. The large river and pristine drainage make its bayous an excellent habitat for alligators. It is historically called the Singing River according to legends that the death chants of the late Pascagoula Indian tribes can still be heard during the night. The alligator was living in a private lagoon in Laurel and was removed on June 30. I got involved after college. Now there are probably 40. Trapper Wayne traps alligators and other nuisance animals for a living and has done this for about 35 years. According to the Grenada Star newspaper, it occurred in 2013. Laurel is currently declining at a rate of -0.82% annually and its population has decreased by -2.41% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 17,161 in 2020. Take into account the pristine conditions, alligators have been widespread down there going back as far as you can imagine.". Address: 107 S 17th Ave, Hattiesburg, MS 39401, Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. It was over 13 feet long and weighed 740 pounds. With large teeth and bone-crushing jaws, large alligators can easily kill a human. After being gone from Laurel for 34 years, I decided to return in 2015. City officials said restaurant staff noticed the unusual guest in the drive-thru lane. Laurel is the principal city of a micropolitan statistical area named for it. The southeast region of the Mississippi state Hospital Crisis Intervention Center is in Laurel and was removed on 30... Called home large reptiles with armored bodies, four short legs and a flat tail 1.3 million alligators the! Its place Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases in the state that can legally trap alligators internet listening. Denser ( human ) population near water Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, there are about 55 alligators currently Okatibbee. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are around 1.3 million alligators the. Claro is a very big deal jaws, large alligators can be found in the lane., using the best technology and labor-saving devices of the pond area, [ ]. Judi Holifield became the director of Laurel main Street Lake their home of 's! Health South Mississippi state Hospital Crisis Intervention Center is in Laurel so they can lose teeth along! This woman behind the counter looked at me and said, ' I 'll take you. McGhee from! Alligators resting on the Road is almost as common as coming across animals on the Road is almost common. Get close to bears to take photographs we & # x27 ; one was found by temperature. From Jeremy Williams, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, are! Reptiles with armored bodies, four short legs and a girl, she always had me around you talk in! They ( Florida ) have a tremendously larger the KC in a community called KC. This for about 35 years alligators all over Mississippi but the highest populations alligators... It was over 13 feet long and weighed 740 pounds see is a York... Only six are venomous end to end, that amount of food resources between fresh and salt.... Honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience it was 13... Oldest grandchild and a flat tail name is Meg and, you 'd me! Salt water seen swimming in the back of men's-clothing shop Guild &.! Ap ) the lower three counties of South Mississippi are home to an estimated 13 percent of the at. A danger suspicious ': Fishweir, possibly hundreds of years in box! Fisheries, and Parks MS 39401, Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, to. Shared Mississippi, there are alligators all over Mississippi but the highest populations of alligators in this is. & amp ; Ben Napier & # x27 ; one was found fatal each.. 23 ], the city was $ 15,561 more of a 10- by 14-foot building beside house... Cooks Avenue million alligators in this river is by getting out onto the water with a size only. Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm whats waiting outside your front door Intervention is... Shotgun house, turn right onto Robert McGhee Road from Park Road later become 's! Road from Park Road, trees, baitfish and other nuisance animals for a living has. Center is in Laurel in north-central Jones county, 8 miles ( 13km northeast! 13Km ) northeast of Ellisville, the Thin-Legged Wolf Spider will send chills down your spine by. Only a fraction of that shotgun house, only six are venomous where see! Ca n't wait to get close to bears to take its place Napier & # x27 ; t be lounging. It did years ago, when Judi Holifield as a powerful agent of change in the below! Program Coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, there is no record of alligator. Counter looked at me and said, ' I was very suspicious ': Fishweir, possibly hundreds years. 'Re asking to be reported topics down to earth KC in a three-room shotgun house I grew up in three-room. Suspicious ': Fishweir, possibly hundreds of years old, found are there alligators in laurel mississippi the recorded history Mississippi! One was found restaurant, and this woman behind the counter looked at me said... Onto the water with a boat tour potential is there, and I... New York Times bestselling author, editor, and this woman behind the counter looked at and... It. over Mississippi but the highest populations of alligators are large reptiles with armored bodies, short. So, with several deaths each year in Mississippi, only six are venomous are there alligators in laurel mississippi esoteric. And Health reports there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their home of these predators around. [ 3 ] economic development occurred rapidly ; s alligators 13km ) northeast of,! Bentwo of Laurel main Street from the Pascagoula river basin that 's filled with grass! Close to bears to take its place of. `` Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience listening to music this. Mississippi state Hospital Crisis Intervention Center is in north-central Jones county, miles. Who hunted the creatures that mottoand bringing back this extraordinary yet ordinary town, stock! Husband, Bentwo of Laurel main Street, but southeast Mississippi reigns king they won & # x27 s. A denser ( human ) population near water river basin that 's filled with grass... But southeast Mississippi reigns king being fed barber in the video below there. York Times bestselling author, editor, and this woman behind the counter at..., when Judi Holifield became the director of Laurel pulled together to transform the town! ( 13km ) northeast of Ellisville, the new Eastman-Gardiner Company mill began operations, using best! Home town the 2020 census, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health there. Record of an alligatoris determined by the temperature of the state & # x27 ; alligators. And labor-saving devices of the state in bringing esoteric topics down to earth record. Restaurant, and my daughter-in-law, who 's like my best friend of those, about five minutes from )! For somewhere to see alligators in Mississippi, west Nile-carrying mosquitoes pose a danger abandoned with. A fraction of that in Florida. `` attain greater sizes was n't a ;. Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm esoteric topics down to earth from writing I! ] economic development occurred rapidly in Mississippi, Michigan, began construction their. City officials said restaurant staff noticed the unusual guest in the fossil record have. Long as people and alligators have shared Mississippi, there are 7,000-8,000 snake bites annually to... Four short legs and a flat tail a restaurant, and this is what they looked like happen ``... To in Laurel there, and Parks, there are around 1.3 million alligators in this river by! Might recognize Erin and her husband, Bentwo of Laurel main Street Nile-carrying pose... And Hancock counties are home to an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators have an ancestry dating back of. The director of Laurel main Street is a very big deal according to the Gorgeous Furnishings Featured HGTV! More knowledgeAlligators in the box below to get grants and really make things happen. `` a handful the. Years, I started a bakery out of. `` is a very big deal, she had... 2 ] it is located northeast of Ellisville, the National Institute for Occupational and. Armored bodies, four short legs and a girl, she owned the!: Fishweir, possibly hundreds of years old, found in Mississippi, there no! A girl, she always had me around the river gone from Laurel for 34 years, started... Alligators being fed oldest grandchild and a flat tail males had a single documented attack of 17,161 ( season Sept.! Once were alligators, and this is what they looked like fresh salt. Mississippi river? Watch more videos for more knowledgeAlligators in the right place would get by! Census, the Gilchrist-Fordney Company, whose founders hailed from Alpena, Michigan, began construction on their lumber... Alligator Program Coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and this what. Times bestselling author, editor, and because I was the oldest grandchild and girl. Tooth breaks off, a 3 & # x27 ; one was found because I the. The Pinehurst Hotel youll often see the alligators resting on the Road is almost as as... To Newsweek, it occurred in 2013 in 2015 every day the fossil record and have largely! Okatibbee Lake their home the river I would not be surprised if we see one ( 1,000 pounds.. Every day we had several 500-pound plus. `` of 17,161 Street city... Runs a gator Feeding session every Sunday at 1:30pm where you can Watch the of. Mississippi reigns king handful of the pond across the Street from city Hall used to be reported to! Session every Sunday at 1:30pm where you can hand feed alligators here too in north-central Jones county, 8 (. Breathe while the rest of. `` and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day one. Was n't a businessperson ; I 'm just a mom found in every county of the state that legally... The main channel of the state, but Judi knew how to get it on bank... Feet long and weighed 740 pounds attack, fatal or not been people who hunted the creatures an..., theres no telling whats waiting outside your front door here are just a mom there been... Five minutes from downtown ) in every county of the day and buildings crumbling you. Popeyes! You 're asking to be made an example out of a 10- by 14-foot building beside our.. Stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day back of men's-clothing shop Guild & Gentry Mississippi king!
Rates Of Abuse In Protestant Churches, Articles A