Historic District
Laurel's Central Historic district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is considered Mississippi's best example of the town planning idea popularized during the City Beautiful Movement of the early 20th century. This living historical district is the state's largest, finest, and most intact ensemble of early 20th century architectural styles including classical and colonial revivals, Queen Anne, bungalow and craftsman. Visit our sightseeing ideas for a tour of these historic homes.
Laurel has the greatest number of intact craftsman architecture examples in the state of Mississippi. The craftsman Style, developed shortly after the turn of the century as an almost folk design, is a design of ordinary workers. The craftsman Style is characterized by the low, horizontal lines, porches with squat columns and knee brackets, and the exposed rafters on the eaves of the house.