Attempts to build the Gulf & Ship Island Railroad began as early as 1837, and Buffalo, New York, financier Joseph T. Jones finally completed it from Gulfport to Hattiesburg in October 1896. Commercial operations began on January 1, 1897. Sawmills and turpentine stills sprang up roughly every three miles along the tracks. As population increased along the railroad, residents sought a new county in northern Harrison County, and Stone County was formed in 1916.