The J. J. Newman Company, headed by Fenwick Peck, chose the site as the location for a large sawmill.

Situated in the heart of South Mississippi's pine belt, the location was ideal for just such a large mill.

Evidence of the quality of timber in the area is supported by a prize-winning short leaf pine displayed at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis.

Some early residents wanted to change the name of the town because, although Daniel Sumrall was a native of Perry County in Mississippi, he had served in the Civil War as a Union soldier.

Combined with the Great Depression, the shutdown of the mill had a marked impact on the town and left it with no large employer for nearly 20 years.

As the metropolitan area of Hattiesburg has expanded westward, Sumrall is now once again experiencing economic growth.

The Longleaf Trace, a recreational trail which follows the route of the former Mississippi Central Railroad, runs through the center of town.

The Longleaf Trace extends from Hattiesburg, MS to Prentiss Mississippi and is popular with cyclists, hikers, and horseback riders.

[5][6] In 2017 Cooperative Energy opened a solar farm (photovoltaic power station) near Sumrall.