Palmers Crossing

Palmers Crossing is an area south of Hattiesburg, Mississippi that has been home to a largely African American community. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History sponsored a presentation on it by Sean O'Farrell August 14, 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=xxKaDwB73yM|title=History Is Lunch: Sean O'Farrell, "Palmers Crossing: People and Place"|date=August 14, 2024|via=YouTube}} It has a community center that is a stop on the "Freedom Trail" commemorating 1960s civil rights sites.{{Cite web|url=https://hburgfreedomtrail.org/palmers-crossing-community-center/|title=Palmer's Crossing Community Center - 1964 Freedom Summer Trail|date=December 31, 2018}}

Civil rights and Freedom School activities were photographed in the area in 1964.{{Cite web|url=https://www.crmvet.org/images/prandall.htm|title=Veterans of the Civil Rights Movement -- Images of a Peoples' Movement|website=www.crmvet.org}}

In 2013, the community sued Hattiesburg over a lack of services since it was annexed by the city.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wdam.com/story/21656192/palmers-crossing-files-law-suit-against-city-of-hattiesburg/?outputType=amp|title=Palmers Crossing residents file law suit against Hub City|date=March 16, 2013|website=www.wdam.com}}

In 2021 a splash pad opened in the community.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hattiesburgms.com/news-updates/palmers-splash-pad-now-open/|title=Hattiesburg Opens Splash Pad in Palmers Crossing Community|date=May 29, 2021}} In 2025, Pearl River Community College students created a mural honoring the area's history titled "Freedom Summer: Honoring History and Hope in Palmer’s Crossing".{{Cite web|url=https://prcc.edu/prcc-students-play-major-role-in-black-history-mural-at-palmers-crossing/|title=PRCC students play major role in Black History mural at Palmer's Crossing | Pearl River Community College|date=February 24, 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hubcityspokes.com/hapa-unveils-mural-60-palmers-crossing-following-60-year-anniversary-freedom-summer|title=HAPA unveils mural 60 in Palmer's Crossing following 60-year anniversary of Freedom Summer|website=HubCitySPOKES}}

The area has been home to Charles Porter Lounge, the High Hat Club, Roger Lees, Carpenters Corner, Joe Woolard's store, and Earl Travillion School.