The East Sixth Street USO Building is a T-shaped wood frame building located approximately two blocks off Mobile Street, near Hattiesburg’s historic African-American commercial district. The USO opened in 1942 and served the African-American troops stationed at Camp Shelby. Serving in racially segregated units, African-American troops also found civilian institutions separated by race. Although the Mobile Street commercial district provided African-American theaters, restaurants and dance halls, the USO, operated by the Young Men’s Christian Association, offered additional recreational services to thousands of African-American troops who passed through Camp Shelby. This building was listed on the National Register on 6 April 2004. It was designated a Mississippi Landmark on 16 April 2010. It is included in "Buildings of Mississippi" (2020) (p. 321, PW36). |