Gallery: Soap Box Derby Days
"Auto Antics," 1939
Do you remember the "Little Rascals" shorts from the 1930's? If you do, its probably because you saw them as reruns on television or You Tube. Spanky, Darla, Alfalfa, Froggy, Buckwheat, and Stymie were characters from an era when kids had to "make do" with what they had. A simpler time, yes, but with challenges we wouldn't want today.
The idea behind the makeshift racers in "The Little Rascals" may have originated with the Soap Box Derby. In 1933, newspaper reporter Myron Scott covered an informal race of boy-built cars in his community. Impressed with the event, he copyrighted the concept, and the first All-American Derby race was born the following year in Dayton, OH (with subsequent national races held in Akron).
1930's
The earliest record of a Hattiesburg Soap Box Derby from our archives dates back to 1937 when the local American Legion sponsored the event. G. C. Black of the (then) Boys Brotherhood group promoted the event for boys between 9 and 15 years of age. First prize was $7.50 with the winner given the opportunity to compete in regional and national meets (Hattiesburg American: 8/13/1937).
1940's - 50's
Photo #2 from 1944 shows the youngsters who competed in the contest along with (then) Mayor George Calhoun and other civic and business leaders. If you look carefully, you'll see a young lady by the name Emma Lou Jones in the front row mixed in with the boys. Yes, even girls could take part in the fun.
with his mementos
The Exchange Club sponsored the local 1949 race, though Tommy Sims was the only entrant that year. Tommy didn't win the state competition in Jackson, MS, but the unique design of his car won the "best-constructed racer" award. Tommy went on to try for the state trophy in 1950 and 1951; he lost in 1950, and HAHS could not determine if he won the 1951 challenge.
Sponsorship of the local derby race switched to the Civitan Club in 1952. The Soap Box Derby did not franchise the race, but entrants qualified for the Jackson Derby. The club furnished wheels and steering gear for each racer, while each boy had to build his own car and spend no more than $10 on it. Robert Saul, Jr. went on to compete in Jackson that year. Robert's younger brothers, Fred and Jim, would become derby competitors in later years.
promoter Gerald Hansen
1960's - 70's
HAHS has no record of Hub City Derby activity during the intervening period until 1968. That year, young Preston Bounds took the trophy along with a $500 savings bond and an all-expense-paid trip to the Akron nationals. By this time, the Evening Optimist Club was co-sponsoring the event with Chevrolet Motors.
The 1969 race saw Mike Howell take the top honors, though not without incident. Mike lost control of his car as he crossed the finish line and veered off the Richburg Road raceway into a ditch and through a barbed wire fence. He suffered minor cuts and scratches from the accident, but otherwise emerged in good shape, both physically and financially.
Derby blood must have run through the Bounds family veins, for Hattiesburg's 1970 winner was Gregg Bounds, brother of 1968 winner Preston Bounds. Big brother Preston provided Gregg with helpful advice on preparing his car and running the race. Gregg won the final event by four lengths. Following repairs to a bent axle, his winning car was displayed in the showroom of co-sponsor Ryan Motors, then it was shipped to Akron for the nationals.
2000's
Local derby competition was phased-out after 1970, but Petal resident Gerard Hansen (a soapbox competitor when he was a child) spearheaded the 2001 effort to resurrect the Hub City race. Time trials were held on a Saturday morning on W.I. Runnels Drive in the Industrial Park. Finals were rescheduled for the following Sunday morning due to rainy weather. Daniel Gardner, 13, of Meridian won the championship trophy and a trip to Akron.
Epilogue
Hattiesburg has not seen a Soap Box Derby in many years. For the time it was here, the local event was an entertaining way of conveying some of life's basics to children: workmanship, the spirit of competition and the perseverance to see a project through to its completion.
The HAHS is fortunate to have a Soap Box Derby collection that includes jackets, trophies and other mementoes donated by Preston and Gregg Bounds and Gerard Hansen from their former racing days. Gerard also donated one of two full-size Soap Box Derby cars on display in the museum's exhibit room.
You have an open invitation to visit the HAHS museum during regular visiting hours to see these and many other items that are part of Hattiesburg's story.