Hattiesburg, the third largest city in Mississippi, has about 45,000 residents. It is the county seat of Forrest County and it has grown, recently, to include a portion of eastern Lamar County as well. It was founded in 1882 by lumberman and civil engineer William H. Hardy and was named in honor of his wife, Hattie. It began as a center for lumber and railroad industries, from which it received its nickname “The Hub City.” It is home to the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University.