Communities
The
Mississippi Gulf Coast, with 26 miles of white sand beaches, offers the good
life for area residents and visitors alike. Here you’ll find championship golf
courses, taste-tantalizing cuisine, resort casinos with outstanding
entertainment, plentiful shopping, historical and cultural attractions, and
year-round outdoor sports. Deep sea charters await fishermen seeking more than
200 species of fish including mackerel, snapper and grouper.
But, the Mississippi Gulf Coast offers even more than those attractions,
appealing as they are. It also offers friendly people and a casual gracious
style of living conducive to relaxation and enjoyment.
For more than 400 years, this section of the Gulf Coast has served as home for
Europeans, and their American descendants. The Mississippi Gulf Coast area was
first explored in 1699 by Pierre LeMoyne d’Iberville who claimed this important
coast region for France. With a small troop, he sailed into
Biloxi Bay and established Fort Maurepas and a small colony on the east shore of
what is now Ocean Springs.The land changed hands over the years, resulting in
the infusion of many new cultures that left historic Spanish and civil war
forts, as well as antebellum and Victorian homes.
But sever weather, including major hurricanes, have taken their toll on these
historic sites, as well as the people living on the Gulf Coast.
Coast Weather
During
normal weather cycles, the Mississippi coast has a humid sub-tropical climate,
influenced by the Gulf of Mexico. Summers are long and hot with high humidity,
but winters are fairly short and mild. The hottest month on the Coast is July,
with an average maximum temperature of 98.7 degrees. The coolest month is
February, with an average low of 49.3 degrees. Relative humidity ranges from an
average of 52 percent in May to a maximum of 96 percent in July. Average yearly
rainfall is 62 inches.
But the area is also prone to hurricanes. About 75 percent of all hurricanes
that have struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast since the turn of the century have
been Category 3 or higher. The worst storm to strike the Coast was Katrina in
2005. It killed 235 people in Mississippi and a destroyed more than 90,000
homes.
During severe weather, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association
broadcasts weather reports from Gulfport and Biloxi on frequency 162.400. Area
residents are urged to follow storm warnings when they are posted.
Today, much of the Mississippi Gulf Coast still shows the effects of Katrina.
With hurricane-force winds, 11 tornadoes, and a 28-foot storm surge, more than
97,000 people were displaced from their homes. Some are still living in FEMA
trailers and mobile homes. Historic homes, yacht clubs, museums, and tourist
attractions disappeared.
But the Mississippi Coast is rebuilding and promises to be stronger than ever
before. Approximately 98% of the Mississippi coast population has returned home.
Unemployment, which climbed to more than 30% immediately following the
hurricane, is now less than 7%. Transportation services along the Mississippi
Gulf Coast are operating at almost 100% capacity.
And tourists have returned. Excursion boats are running to Gulf Island National
Seashore. Deep sea fishing boats are going out daily. Golf courses are open. And
thousands are visiting local tourist attractions, restaurants, and historic
sites.
While many sites have already reopened following Hurricane Katrina, others-such
as the Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library—are still in the process of
rebuilding. As a result, the Harrison County Tourism Commission has established
a web site listing attractions that are now operational or have reopening dates.
Before planning an excursion, visitors are encouraged to brows their web site
at: www.gulfcoast.org. For more information on the status of attractions in the
Gulf Coast communities of Harrison, Jackson, and Hancock Counties, contact the
Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau at P.O. Box 6128, Gulfport,
MS 39506, or call (228) 896-6699.
HARRISON COUNTY
Of the three South Mississippi counties on the Gulf Coast,
Harrison County has the largest population and the greatest number of cities.
With apopulation
of nearly 194,000 people, it has a wide mix of industry, including two military
bases. Other industries range from retail and manufacturing to pharmaceuticals
and healthcare research to composite technology and shipbuilding.
Harrison County is made up of five cities: Pass Christian, Long Beach, Gulfport,
Biloxi and D’Iberville. The county is also home to campuses of Mississippi Gulf
Coast Community College, Tulane University (Mississippi Campus), University of
Southern Mississippi (Gulf Park Campus), Virginia College, and William Carey
University.
The Harrison County School District includes 12 elementary schools, two middle
schools, and one high school. Information on these schools can be obtained by
writing to 11072 Hwy 49, P.O. Box 1090, Gulfport MS 39503 or by calling (228)
539-6500.
Now the second largest city in Mississippi, Gulfport
emphasizes education and culture, good medical and municipal services, many
churches, an impressive recreation program that includes senior citizens as well
as youth, and continuous programs of civic improvement. With a population of
more than 70,000 people, it has a thriving and growing downtown community that
includes two colleges, and two major shopping centers. The Jeff Davis Campus of
the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and William Carey College are also
located in Gulfport. With about 6.7 miles of man-made sandy beaches along the
Gulf Coast, Gulfport is also home of the annual “World’s Largest Fishing Rodeo.”
The Gulfport School District maintains one high school, two middle schools and
eight elementary schools. Students can be enrolled in these schools by
contacting the school administration at 2001 Pass Road, Gulfport MS 39501, or
calling (228) 539-6500. St. John Catholic Schools also operates seven elementary
schools, three middle schools, and two high schools. Additional information
about these private schools can be made by writing to 2415 17th Street,
Gulfport, MS 39501 or calling (228) 863-8141.
Gulfport was founded as the county seat in 1884. At that time, the Gulf Coast
was already becoming renowned for its resort climate. In addition, W.H. Hardy
was seeking a southern terminus for the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad. He hired
J.M.T. Hamilton, a Meridian surveyor, to come down and plan a city. The land was
purchased for $5 an acre and Gulfport was born.
At first it was a city of saloons, mud streets, and cottages for the men working
on the railroad and harbor, but the little town bloomed. Gulfport was
incorporated in 1898. The population was nearly 1,000 and the town boasted a
ship harbor and two railroads.
In 1894, the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad ran out of money with the line still
10 miles south of Hattiesburg and the harbor just begun. Into the breach stepped
Captain Joseph T. Jones, an oil millionaire from Pennsylvania. The captain
assumed control of the failing railroad in 1896 and, with $1.5 million of his
own money, completed the harbor in January 1902.
In 1919 Gulfport welcomed her first banana ship, beginning the Port of
Gulfport’s rise to the number one single banana port in the nation. Two
railroads still serve the city and port, but today’s transportation requirements
also require fleets of trucks, cross-country buses, aircraft, and local transit
lines.The deepening of the harbor from 30 feet to 36 feet was completed in 1994,
allowing the port to accommodate larger shipments and to attract new customers.
Nationally known as a haven for tourists, Biloxi is actually
the third oldest city in the United States. It was founded in 1699 by Pierre
LeMoyne d’Iberville who was sent by the King of France to claim this important
coastal region. The city boasts that eight flags have flown here and that her
population holds the “best descendants” of each of these governments. Biloxi’s
eight flags are of France, Spain, England, the U.S., the Confederacy, the
Republic of West Florida, the Magnolia State and the State of Mississippi.
Originally, the city was established as the capital of the province of
Louisiana, an area of more than one million square miles. Now encompassing 575
square miles with a population of nearly 65,000 residents, Biloxi is rich with
culture and history. The downtown area has established a Biloxi Main Street
Program to preserve and promote the area. Adding to traditional industries of
boatyards, timber and seafood, is a growing healthcare community, the arrival of
a Gulf Coast branch of Tulane University, and a state-of-the art public high
school. Biloxi is also home to Keesler Air Force Base.
Biloxi is proud of its school system which ranks as one of
the state’s best. The district’s current accreditation rating is 5.0, the
highest available. Currently, there are seven elementary schools, three junior
high schools, and one high school.
Along U.S. Highway 90, just west of Gulfport, lies the city
of Long Beach. Called the “Friendly City” since its incorporation in 1905,
it is known for its excellent school system and low crime rate. The Gulf Coast
Branch of the University of Southern Mississippi is located on Highway 90 in
Long Beach, as are numerous fine dining establishments. With a population of
20,000 people, Long Beach School District has a high school, a middle school and
three elementary schools.
The historic home of yacht racing on the Gulf Coast, this
small town offers quaint antique shops, cafes, and elegant historic homes. With
less than 15,000 people, this city is a great place to get away for the day or
settle down and raise a family.
A relatively new city located just north of Biloxi,
D’Iberville is becoming a popular bedroom community for military families and
others working in the local tourist industry. With less than 9,000 people, the
city has recently experienced a growth in shopping centers, offering residents
both convenience and entertainment.
After nearly three centuries of folklore, the story of the
beginnings of Jackson County is as vivid as any of the tales. Sailing from
Brest, France, in
search of the mouth of the Mississippi River, Pierre LeMoyne d’Iberville, a
French Naval Officer, landed at the site of present-day Ocean Springs in April
1699. Fearing a Spanish attack, d’Iberville built Fort Maurepas to protect the
first white settlers of Jackson County.
From that point on, Jackson County (named for President Andrew Jackson) was
destined for growth and prosperity. Resulting from leadership of Captain John
Grant, the Mississippi Sound was opened to Mobile Bay in 1838 via a channel
known as Grants Pass. Two years later Grant’s efforts brought about the birth of
the Port of Pascagoula.
The year 1838 also brought shipbuilding to Jackson County as Ebenezer Clark’s
firm began constructing flat-bottomed schooners for coastal trade. More major
events were just around the corner. The first telegraph lines were laid across
the county in 1848 and in 1870 the New Orleans and Mobile Railroad was built.
These advancements led to the development of commercial fisheries.
The success of local timber and sawmill industries led to the area’s first
economic boom from 1880 to 1910. Shipbuilding became so profitable that, by the
time of the United States’ entry into World War I in 1917, the skill of
Pascagoula firms led to their receiving the lion’s share of the contracts for
ship construction during both World Wars.
Today Jackson County shipbuilders still construct many of the Navy’s finest
combatant ships. However, the area did suffer a setback when the Naval Station
Pascagoula officially closed November 15, 2006, at the recommendation of the
Base Realignment and Closure Commission. After 14 years of military service, the
base has transitioned to the State of Mississippi for economic redevelopment.
According to Jackson County folklore, Biloxi and Pascagoula
Indian tribes were preparing for battle. Rather than face annihilation at the
hands of their mortal enemies, the peace-loving Pascagoula joined hands and
walked singing to their deaths in the river. If you listen carefully on a quiet
coastal evening, you may still be able to hear them sing. Hence its nickname,
“The Singing River.”
The French Naval Officer, Pierre LeMoyne d’Iberville,
arrived in Pascagoula in the summer of 1699 and was cordially received by the
Pascagoula Indians and a small tribe from the Moss Point area known as the
Moctobi. In the Pascagoula Tribe were 30 warriors, Indians and Creoles,
including the descendants of a small band of Acadians who arrived in 1634.
In 1718, the lands on Pascagoula Bay were ceded to Madame de Chaumont, a French
woman of fortune. The same year Joseph Simon de La Pointe built a home on Krebs
Lake, which is known today as the Old Spanish Fort. It is the oldest building
now standing in the area. In the cemetery, which adjoins this building, are the
graves of early settlers whose tombstones are inscribed in French and dated as
early as 1732.
Pascagoula was a part of the French province from 1699 to 1763, owned by the
English from 1763 to 1781, a Spanish Territory from 1781 to 1798 and became part
of the United States on June 7, 1798.
Named for the Pascagoula Indians, the city maintains a charm typical of
traditional Southern seaside communities. The nearly 26,000 people of
Pascagoula take pride in their community, which is the county seat, and in the
diverse industries that flourish here.
Because of Pascagoula’s location on the Gulf, water sports and various
recreational activities are available to pleasure seekers simply by stepping out
one’s back door. Fishing, crabbing, swimming, boating and skiing are but a few
of the activities available to local residents.
Famous persons important to the history of Pascagoula are: General Zachary
Taylor who built Pascagoula’s first housing project; Admiral David Farragut who,
as a Union Naval Officer in 1861, captured his home town of Pascagoula; Andrew
Jackson for whom the county was named; and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow who wrote
“The Building of a Ship” at the Longfellow House, an antebellum home on Beach
Boulevard.
HANCOCK COUNTY
Hancock
County is 40 miles east of New Orleans, LA and about 20 miles west of Biloxi on
the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Named for John Hancock, signer of the Declaration of Independence, Hancock
County was established in 1812.
In 1699, Pierre le Moyne d’Iberville and his brother, Jean Baptiste le Moyne,
Sieur de Bienville, claimed the Gulf Coast for France and King Louis XIV. Native
Americans were the first to welcome these visitors in 1699; however the people
of Hancock County continue this tradition of Southern Hospitality!
Though hard hit by Hurricane Katrina, gaming, championship golf, NASA tours,
historic sites, shopping, fishing, and fresh Gulf seafood can still be found in
these towns and communities of Hancock County.
Many of Old Town Bay St. Louis’ small shops, boutiques,
antique stores, art galleries cafes, restaurants, and coffee houses have
reopened - in their original or new locations - since the hurricane.
Area attractions include St. Augustine’s Seminary, established in 1922, the
first Roman Catholic seminary in the United States to train and ordain
African-American men to be priests and brothers.
The historic Bay St. Louis Depot was the heartbeat of the county during the time
of train travel popularity. Many families commuted to and from New Orleans daily
or weekly. It served as the centerpiece for the 1965 movie “This Property is
Condemned,” starring Robert Redford and Natalie Wood. Many unique shops,
restaurants, and art galleries are located in the depot district.
The “Land of Waves,” long popular as a summer retreat for
residents of New Orleans and Natchez, was established as a separate municipality
in 1888. This small town offers five miles of sand beaches and year round
fishing.
The Kiln community is the home of Green Bay Packers
quarterback, Brett Favre.
This gated resort community, located just off Interstate 10,
is 20 minutes from Stennis Space Center and 20 minutes from Gulfport. Amenities
include community golf courses, swimming pools, tennis courts, shopping,
businesses and numerous social clubs.
PEARL RIVER COUNTY
Pearl River County is located 54 miles from New Orleans, 49
miles from Gulfport and only 15 minutes from Stennis Space Center. With 57,000
residents, Pearl River is considered one of the ten fastest growing counties in
the country
Picayune, the largest city in the county, is the picture of
small-town America. Its charm rests with quaint neighborhoods, tree-lined
streets and a downtown where people still shop. Area attractions include Crosby
Arboretum, a living museum that allows visitors to explore pine forests and
grassy savannas as well as calm reflection in the Pinecote Pavilion. Low crime
rates and a low cost of living have made Picayune a retirement community that
has grown from 10,000 to 20,000 people in only six years. It is also the
business and medical center of Pearl River County.
Poplarville, the county seat, is the second largest town in
the county. It is home to Pearl River Community College, which was heavily
damaged by Hurricane Katrina. President George W. Bush, Laura Bush and Governor
Haley Barbour visited the small community college where the storm’s most
powerful unofficially recorded gust of wind was reported at 135 MPH. Despite the
damage, Poplarville will continue to host the county’s annual Blueberry Jubilee
festival each June.
