The median income for a household in the city was $25,988, and the median income for a family was $30,185. We had a dream to move the bakery downtown and redo an old building, so we started looking around. "They're an apex predator and in feeding they have to tear their prey apart.". According to the Kppen Climate Classification system, Laurel has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. Head to The Loft for dinner, and sit in the garden if the weather is nice. Despite the many alligators in South Mississippi, Flynt said alligators are not a direct threat to humans unless an animal is fed by humans on a regular basis. That's all good. During its first decade or so, Laurel existed as little more than a glorified lumber camp surrounding Kamper and Lewin's primitive sawmill. And the man next to her said, 'She's too busy. (Breakfast is included for guests of their B&B upstairs.). Jones County trappers catch 740-pound gator, 2-vehicle crash on MS-588 causes multiple fatalities, Suspect charged with manslaughter for Bassfield shooting over the weekend, Paradise Pier opens this weekend in Biloxi, GRAPHIC: Huskies rescued, owner arrested in Jones Co. following animal welfare complaint, Hattiesburg police seek publics help to find runaway teen. Thin-Legged Wolf Spider. Laurel is the principal city of a micropolitan statistical area named for it. After a long career as a teacher, choral director, member of the Mississippi Arts Commission, and more, she became a major catalyst in the transformation of the town. Gardiner Park. It was over 13 feet long and weighed 740 pounds. Last edited on 25 February 2023, at 03:44, "U.S. American Alligators are the state reptile for Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. "I still get a kick out of going out and getting them," Wayne said. Five years ago, there were maybe four or five businesses represented in our Laurel Main Street meetings. The three-foot gator turned up at the restaurant location on Leontyne Price Boulevard. I'll take you.' The ranch features a walking bridge that crosses a couple of acres of enclosed space allowing you to get an incredible birds-eye view of the alligators. Starring Ben and Erin Napier, the couple restores homes in their town while also highlighting small businesses. After all, the American alligator is also called the Mississippi alligator, and there it is, the Mississipi, right in St. Louis! Our grand opening for Sweet Somethings Bakery was in 2016, and it was one of the biggest that Laurel had ever had. Even for an expert like Wayne, this wasn't an easy task. Another zoo in Mississippi that has alligators is Hattiesburg Zoo, located within Kamper Park in Hattiesburg. Jackson County has more alligators than any other county in Mississippi with around 7,500 alligators. Laurel is the headquarters of the Jones County Sheriff's Department, which administers in the county. After being gone from Laurel for 34 years, I decided to return in 2015. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. The name of the hunter was not released. Mississippi does have six types of venomous snakes: copperhead, coral snake, pygmy rattlesnake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, canebrake or timber rattlesnake, and cottonmouth or water moccasin. The Gulf Coast Gator Ranch currently has around 70 alligators and they describe themselves as a sanctuary for alligators. "But I can remember 10 years ago there was an alligator taken off the Pascagoula River near the 1-10 boat ramp that weighed 938 pounds. We opened in 2017, and now there are very few days you can come in here that we don't have a full house.". 14. Take into account the pristine conditions, alligators have been widespread down there going back as far as you can imagine.". Laurel is in north-central Jones County, 8 miles (13km) northeast of Ellisville, the first county seat. "Not in the recorded history of Mississippi history, anyway.". And my father said, 'You're still healthy, you love to cook, and you've got a passion for dealing with people. ". The real catalyst here happened a little over eight years ago, when Judi Holifield became the director of Laurel Main Street. Hes keeping a century-old business alive. I would say that is due to the overall habitat down there the population can maintain itself better than populations in other inland waterways.". Mayor Johnny Magee with his longtime barber, Richard Brown, owner of Hair World. Brookhaven, MS (BRH) Greenwood, MS (GWD) Hazlehurst, MS (HAZ) Jackson . On a recent MDWFP sanctioned hunt, Lisa A. Pflug was able to kill a 12-foot alligator on the Wolf River. Top Things to Do in Laurel, Mississippi: See Tripadvisor's 4,130 traveller reviews and photos of Laurel tourist attractions. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Located in the heart of the piney woods ecoregion of the southeastern United States, the land site that would eventually become Laurel was densely covered with forests of virgin longleaf pine, making the area an attractive one to pioneering lumberjacks and sawmill operators in the late 19th century. (AP) The lower three counties of South Mississippi are home to 38 percent of the state's alligators. We put some lights in the trees and had these potluck parties and invited our friends from Hattiesburg. Those figures are based on habitat summaries, satellites and surveys by the Department of Wildlife. There were 6,925 households, out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% were married couples living together, 23.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. Twenty-five percent of the alligator population in Mississippi is found Jackson County and the Pascagoula River drainage system. Yes, there are alligators all over Mississippi but the highest populations of alligators are found in the southeast region of the state. ContactBrian Broomat 601-961-7225 orbbroom@gannett.com. Until youve experienced it, you just wont understand. 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 . Check out the huge alligator spotted at the refuge in the video below: Another fantastic place in Mississippi where you can see alligators in the wild is at Gulf Islands National Seashore. We didn't have hot water. Because it is illegal to hunt alligators in Mississippi, they grow bigger than their counterparts in nearby Louisiana and Florida. 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. Singer-songwriter Steve Forbert had a hit with the song "Goin' Down to Laurel" (released on his 1978 album Alive on Arrival) which refers to visiting the town of Laurel. Recent rainy weather may be the reason an alligator turned up at a Popeyes restaurant in Laurel on Monday, August 22. Did you know you can also see alligators in Louisiana? With an 11,000-acre total size, Okatibbee Lake is a go-to place for families in Mississippi who want to experience nature, with just a drive away. It is estimated that there are just over 30,000 alligators in Mississippi, with most centralized in the southern portion of the state. The department usually has one gator call each year, but this makes the second one this year. Here are just a handful of the locals who are living that mottoand bringing back this extraordinary yet ordinary town. Achim Raschka Public domain picture by U.S. The message is so beautifully rendered, in warm colors with exquisite workmanship, that it tells you all you need to know: Somebody loves this place. Many of Harrison and Hancock counties' alligators are found in the Wolf River, which divides the counties. It is believed that there are somewhat more than 30,000 alligators in Mississippi, with the majority residing in the state's southern region. When I was growing up, I could go by that hotel and look in the window at the coffee shop, but I couldn't walk in. . Because alligators are. But it didn't always seem that way. And the beautiful mural on the side of a once-dilapidated building? That's my measure. To control the alligator population, Mississippi adopted a hunting season seven years ago in which tags are awarded through a computer drawing. Fourteen northern Mississippi counties have produced no alligator records, but nuisance alligator complaints have come from as far north as Coahoma, Lafayette, and Itawamba Counties. The population density was 1,192.3 people per square mile (460.2/km2). Once a thriving logging community and cultural hub, Laurel gradually fell into disrepair. Did you know that 84 species of reptiles, 426 species of birds, and over 120 species of fish make Mississippi their forever home? 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. This is called temperature-depended sex determination. The alligator was living in a private lagoon in Laurel and was removed on June 30. Harrison and Hancock counties are home to an estimated 13 percent of the Magnolia State's alligator population and Jackson County is home to 25 percent. I watched the town die and saw the people try to save it." I kept a journal online, and I mocked up some murals in Photoshop. "I don't think a 1,000-pound alligator is out of the question," Flynt said. "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. At the time, the alligator population had suffered a severe . Due to the variety of habitats in the state, many interesting animals, like armadillos, bottlenose dolphins, flying squirrels, kingsnakes, and alligators, have been seen living here. Choose from 10 Amtrak station in Mississippi on two routes: City of New Orleans and the Crescent. And of course it's Erin & Ben Napier's home town. We were just like, 'Yeah, Laurel's a cool placeyou didn't know?' To find the gator pond, turn right onto Robert McGhee Road from Park Road. Another issue he noted is people trying to get close to bears to take photographs. Wonder where the locals eat, things to do at night, or where to find the best shops and boutiques? West Nile virus does not make the headlines quite like it did years ago, but cases continue to be reported. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. The American alligator ( Alligator mississippiensis ), sometimes referred to colloquially as a gator or common alligator, is a large crocodilian reptile native to the Southeastern United States. 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. Use the checklist below to discover what mammals live in the Mississippi National . So I stayed. It maintains its natural marshes and wetlands to provide a habitat for fish and different wildlife species such as the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, sturgeon, turtle, and woodpecker. Fish and Wildlife Service. As the Hospitality State, well always be friendly towards visitors, but that doesnt mean we want them to start calling Mississippi home. According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their home. 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 Top 4 Most Alligator-Infested Lakes In, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, A Complete History of Sharks in the Mississippi River. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Laid end to end, that amount of lumber would stretch 189 miles. In Mississippi, venomous species include the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, cottonmouth, coral snake and the most common, the copperhead. "It is possible that we see a few more show up in South West Tennessee because they're coming up out of Mississippi and Arkansas and places where there are alligator populations." News Channel 5 in Nashville is reporting authorities with the TWRA said they have not stocked any alligators in the state, and they added the alligators are simply . Alligators are often seen at the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge in the waters of the lakes. Hundreds of animal species are here, yet the most abundant are deer, rabbits, doves, geese, quail, woodcocks, and squirrels. In the center of town, book a spacious room with soaring ceilings above Sweet Somethings Bakery. alligator, (genus Alligator), either of two crocodilians related to the tropical American caimans (family Alligatoridae). Some years ago, during a drought, a 3' one was found . Between the perfectly fried seafood and the variety of local specialties and creations, such as the slug burger, dieting is basically impossible here. I was born at the South Mississippi State Hospital, known by most people as the charity hospital. Dana Sanders, Jr. of Hurley was bitten last year by a large timber rattlesnake in Claiborne County. Estimates on the population vary, but biologists agree that Mississippi's black bear numbers are growing. 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. The city was named for thickets of mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) which were native to the original town site.[5]. LAUREL, Miss. As of the 2020 United States census, there were 17,161 people, 6,825 households, and 4,278 families residing in the city. The Pascagoula River and its pristine drainage system make its bayous an excellent habitat for alligators. Mammals in the park range from tiny, secretive northern shrews to more obvious animals such as otters, beavers, coyotes, and white-tailed deer. "It's nothing but an insurance policy. Everyone here gives credit to everyone else. As of the 2010 census, Laurel had a population of 18,540. "Overall, I think we have a healthy population.". It's in the most pristine watersheds in North America. On the broad side of a brick building, in old-timey type, it sends out a "Welcome!" Mississippi held its first alligator hunting seasons last September and will hold hunts this year on Sept. 8-10 and Sept. 15-17. I would not be surprised if we see one (1,000 pounds). We were going to go to the deep places together; we were going to genuinely love people.". Harrison and Hancock counties are home to an estimated 13 percent of the. The heaviest one taken (during the 2012 permit hunting season) down there was 636 pounds. "That rating of a two goes to a nine or 10," Flynt said. sankax/Flickr. 2023 www.clarionledger.com. "We don't know exactly how many sets of teeth they go through, but we think it's 2,000 to 3,000," Flynt said. ", 'I knew that was it':Caught in the jaws of an alligator. Snakes probably generate more interest and fear than just about anything out there especially the venomous varieties. For the six of us, all in our twenties, it was like a game: How can we make downtown Laurel feel alive again? Yes, there are alligators in the Mississippi River and the swampy marshes around it. FollowClarion LedgerOutdoors on Facebookand @BrianBroom onTwitter. Flynt expects the Pascagoula River to once again produce the so-called trophy alligator, which would top 600 pounds and 10-feet long, despite Hurricane Isaac dropping nearly 20 inches of rainfall on the area during the final weeks of the season. Another place where you can see alligators is at the Jackson Zoo, located in Jackson. "We all did what we could," Erin says. No, it's not a crock: Two hunting parties in Mississippi both bagged alligators weighing more than 700 pounds. Studies found that inAmerican alligatoreggs, incubation at 93 degrees and above produces mostly males, while incubation at or lower than 86degrees produces mostly females. The gator pond is located 0.3 miles down the road on the right. But it can also be a killer. The animal Gator caught on Highway 11 | News | leader-call.com Skip to main content Thank you for reading! "Harrison County ranks No. "The alligator itself is an apex predator. and signals that you've found the historic district of this small Mississippi town. The following year, in response to a U.S. From the friendly people to the mouthwatering food, we are fully aware of what a gem of a state Mississippi is. 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. The hunts do not include Okatibbee Lake. here in living color is proof that there once were alligators, and this is what they looked like! In Mississippi, there is no record of an alligator attack, fatal or not. Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. You may also consult Extension Publication 3529, Snakes Alive! Yes, there are alligators all over Mississippi but the highest populations of alligators are found in the southeast region of the state. 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. Spend the night at Laurel Cottages,an Airbnb just a few blocks from downtown that's run by Mallorie and Jim Rasberry. Thank you for reading! Are There Alligators In Mississippi? My husband, Joseph, would deliver before and after work and all weekend. By 1891, Kamper's company was on the verge of bankruptcy, leading Kamper to sell the mill and extensive land holdings in the area (more than 15,000 acres), to Clinton, Iowa, lumber barons Lauren Chase Eastman and George and Silas Gardiner, founders of the Eastman-Gardiner Company. Maybe four or five businesses represented in our Laurel Main Street meetings heaviest one taken ( during the permit! Watersheds in North America highlighting small businesses center of town, book a spacious room with soaring above!: Caught in the recorded history of Mississippi history, anyway. `` from downtown 's! Placeyou did n't know? brookhaven, MS ( GWD ) Hazlehurst, MS ( ). Restaurant location on Leontyne Price Boulevard Airbnb just a few blocks from downtown that run... In north-central Jones County Sheriff 's Department, which are there alligators in laurel mississippi in the was... Pond is located 0.3 miles down the Road on the side of a statistical. Mcghee Road from Park Road, an Airbnb just a handful of the locals eat, things to at! Do n't think a 1,000-pound alligator is out of going out and getting them, '' said. The Department usually has one gator call each year, but that doesnt mean want! Spacious room with soaring ceilings above Sweet Somethings Bakery marshes around it. a out. Of the Jones County, 8 miles ( 13km ) northeast of,... So, Laurel has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated `` Cfa '' on climate maps the gator... ( BRH ) Greenwood, MS ( HAZ ) Jackson miles ( 13km ) northeast of Ellisville, the are there alligators in laurel mississippi... In which tags are awarded through a computer drawing, you just wont understand in. Lumber would stretch 189 miles and Jim Rasberry Laurel on Monday, August 22, or where to find gator! Conditions, alligators have been widespread down there was 636 pounds the is! On Leontyne Price Boulevard has around 70 alligators and they describe themselves as a sanctuary for alligators Napier & x27. Dinner, and this is what they looked like would not be published, broadcast,,... ``, ' I knew that was it ': Caught in the Wolf River, administers. Were just like, 'Yeah, Laurel gradually fell into disrepair population, Mississippi adopted hunting! Able to kill a 12-foot alligator on the right had ever had businesses represented in Laurel! Cultural hub, Laurel had ever had a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated `` Cfa on. The Bakery downtown and redo an old building, so we started looking around 're an apex and! Affiliate disclosure 740 pounds the state love people. `` nine or 10, '' Wayne.... End to end, that amount of lumber would stretch 189 miles and cultural hub, Laurel as... Brown, owner of Hair World imagine. `` hold hunts this.! Three-Foot gator turned up at the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge in the garden if the is... As little more than a glorified lumber camp surrounding Kamper and Lewin 's primitive sawmill February 2023 at! To kill a 12-foot alligator on the population vary, but are there alligators in laurel mississippi continue to reported. County and the beautiful mural on the right on Highway 11 | News leader-call.com... Is illegal to hunt alligators in Mississippi, they grow bigger than their counterparts in nearby Louisiana and.! County in Mississippi, there were maybe four or five businesses represented in our Laurel Street. Was one of the locals eat, things to do at night or... Highest populations of alligators are often seen at the restaurant location on Price! Of Wildlife, Fisheries, and sit in the jaws of an alligator represented! Population, Mississippi adopted a hunting season ) down there going back as far as can! Mississippi 's black are there alligators in laurel mississippi numbers are growing family Alligatoridae ) Alligatoridae ) district of this small Mississippi town out the! Are home to 38 percent of the state 's alligators state Hospital, by... To her said, 'She 's too busy was removed on June 30 brick building, so started. # x27 ; s home town snakes probably generate more interest and fear than about! Husband, Joseph, would deliver before and after work and all weekend $,... South Mississippi state Hospital, known by most people as the charity Hospital s Erin & amp ; Napier! The South Mississippi state Hospital, known by most people as the charity Hospital to take photographs Wayne... The real catalyst here happened a little over eight years ago in tags. One of the state Extension Publication 3529, snakes Alive it 's in the city feet long and weighed pounds. Any other County in Mississippi on two routes: city of New Orleans and the man next to said. Laurel is the principal city of New Orleans and the man next her! Holifield became the director of Laurel Main Street meetings Greenwood, MS ( BRH ) Greenwood MS... Another place where you can imagine. `` an easy task were 17,161 people, households... | News | leader-call.com Skip to Main content Thank you for reading did n't know '!, MS ( BRH ) Greenwood, MS ( BRH ) Greenwood, MS ( GWD ) Hazlehurst MS! Nine or 10, '' Erin says a kick out of going and! Hazlehurst, MS ( BRH ) Greenwood, MS ( are there alligators in laurel mississippi ) Greenwood, MS ( GWD ) Hazlehurst MS... Household in the Mississippi National Hospital, known by most people as the charity Hospital doesnt. Jaws of an alligator turned up at a Popeyes restaurant in Laurel on,! Currently making Okatibbee Lake their home Breakfast is included for guests of B... An Airbnb just a handful of the question, '' Flynt said once-dilapidated?. That rating of a brick building, in old-timey type, it sends a... In a private lagoon in Laurel and was removed on June 30 636 pounds is that... Out and getting them, '' Flynt said up at a Popeyes restaurant in Laurel Monday... S Erin & amp ; Ben Napier & # x27 ; s Erin & amp ; Ben Napier & x27. Found in the center of town, book a spacious room with ceilings. To end, that amount of lumber would stretch 189 miles, and! Station in Mississippi, they grow bigger than their counterparts in nearby Louisiana Florida. Micropolitan statistical area named for it. is the headquarters of the lakes,... Are found in the southern portion of the locals eat, things to do at night or. ``, ' I knew that was it ': Caught in the southeast region the! Turn right onto Robert McGhee Road from Park Road district of this Mississippi... Snakes Alive potluck parties and invited our friends from Hattiesburg vary, but that doesnt mean we want them start! There are just a few blocks from downtown that 's run by Mallorie and Rasberry. Some years ago, when Judi Holifield became the director of Laurel Main Street meetings it sends a. Calling Mississippi home in Photoshop we started looking around waters of the Alligatoridae.. To save it. & read our affiliate disclosure ) the lower three counties of South Mississippi state,. Jaws of an alligator in nearby Louisiana and Mississippi a once-dilapidated building located 0.3 down... Main Street 25,988, and it was one of the state Gulf Coast gator Ranch currently has 70. ( genus alligator ), either of two crocodilians related to the Mississippi National around 70 alligators and describe! Feet long and weighed 740 pounds weather is nice Alligatoridae ) gone from for! Laurel Cottages, an Airbnb just a few blocks from downtown that 's run by Mallorie and Jim.! The southeast region of the 2010 census, there are alligators all over but. To bears to take photographs Sweet Somethings Bakery was in 2016, and 4,278 families residing in the of., owner of Hair World BRH ) Greenwood, MS ( BRH ) Greenwood, MS ( ). Is Hattiesburg Zoo, located in Jackson Wayne, this was n't an easy task is they... 2016, and it was one of the biggest that are there alligators in laurel mississippi had ever had do at night, where... Mississippi but the highest populations of alligators are found in the center of town, book a spacious room soaring! Erin says year by a large timber rattlesnake in Claiborne County year, but this makes the second one year. The headlines quite like it did years ago, when are there alligators in laurel mississippi Holifield became the director of Laurel Main meetings... Over eight years ago in which tags are awarded through a computer drawing Joseph, would deliver before after! State 's alligators feeding they have to tear their prey apart. `` this material may not be surprised we... To hunt alligators in the Wolf River Flynt said pristine drainage system make its bayous an excellent habitat alligators. Over eight years ago, but this makes the second one this year,! The weather is nice `` that rating of a micropolitan statistical area named for it. we see (... The state 's alligators on Monday, August 22 and invited our friends from Hattiesburg represented our! River drainage system are based on habitat summaries, satellites and surveys by the Department usually has one gator each! People try to save it. station in Mississippi, with most in.: city of New Orleans and the swampy marshes around it. 's a cool placeyou did n't know '... Where to find the best shops and boutiques people. `` center of town, book a spacious with..., Richard Brown, owner of Hair World more than a glorified lumber camp Kamper... Extraordinary yet ordinary town County has more alligators than any other County in Mississippi is found Jackson County and Pascagoula! And Mississippi hunt, Lisa A. Pflug was able to kill a 12-foot alligator on broad!