East Tennessee State University Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University Electronic Theses and Dissertations Student Works 12-2001 Laurel, Mississippi: A Historical Perspective. David Stanton Key East Tennessee State University Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation Key, David Stanton, "Laurel, Mississippi: A Historical Perspective." (2001). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 121. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/121 This Thesis - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Works at Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Laurel, Mississippi: A Historical Perspective A thesis presented to the faculty of the Department of History East Tennessee State University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in History by David Stanton Key December 2001 Dr. Dale J. Schmitt, Chair Dr. Stephen G. Fritz Dr. Emmett M. Essin III Keywords: Mississippi, Laurel, Industrialism, Unions, Lumber, South, Labor ABSTRACT Laurel, Mississippi: A Historical Perspective by David Stanton Key Laurel, Mississippi exemplifies the new southern development that occurred in the years following Reconstruction. Coinciding with continental rail building and the depletion of northern timber resources, Laurel emerged as one of Mississippi’s great industrial centers. Laurel’s survival after the early twentieth century timber boom predicated itself on the diversification of its industry coupled with the continued growth of its infrastructure. Although Laurel’s industrial ascension is not unique in the annals of southern history, its duality regarding northern capitalistic impulses and southern labor and material serves as a successful industrial model in the era of “cut out and get out” sawmill and timber operations.