| |
Biloxi, Mississippi
History
17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st Century Chronology
of Biloxi
Commencing with the year 1682 and continuing to
present
day, I have subjectively gleaned salient dates and facts relating to
our local chronology from journals and other authoritative sources.
French Colonial Period
[1699-1763]
1682
Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle (1643-1687) reconnoitered
the Mississippi River from the Great Lakes locating its deltaic
mouth on the Gulf of Mexico in April 1682. He claimed for France the vast area between
the Rocky Mountains and the Alleghenies drained by the Mississippi
and all of its tributaries. We know this territory as Louisiana,
i.e. belonging to King Louis XIV of France. La Salle called the Great
River, Colbert, in honor of the French Minister of Marine.
1699
On February ,
Pierre Le Moyne Sieur
d'Iberville (1661-1706), French Canadian soldier of fortune, anchored his small
exploratory fleet at Ship Island. Canadian and French soldiers led by Iberville in the service of King Louis XIV of France, commenced the
construction of Fort Maurepas, at present day Ocean Springs,
Mississippi, in early April. Fort Maurepas
was
named to honor the French Minister of the Marine (Navy), Jerome
Phelypeaux de Maurepas, Comte (Earl) de Pontchartrain. Several
locales in North America bear the name Maurepas or Pontchartrain:
Lakes Maurepas and Pontchartrain in southeastern Louisiana and Point
Maurepas on the island of Michipicoten (Ontario) in Lake Superior.
The Fort Maurepas settlement was also called Biloxi for the local
Siouxan Indian tribe which lived on the Pascagoula River.
Iberville
and fleet departed Ship Island for France in May. He
left a garrison of seventy-six men and ten officers under
Sauvolle at Fort Maurepas.
1700
1701
Iberville ordered Fort Maurepas to be abandoned
on December 17, 1701.
1702
Fort Maurepas was abandoned in the early months of
1702, as Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne (1680-1768), Sieur de
Bienville removed the French garrison to Dauphin Island.
1763
British Colonial Period
[1763-1780]
The Treaty of Paris often called the Peace of Paris,
or the Treaty of 1763, was signed on
February 10,
1763,
by the kingdoms of
Great Britain,
France
and Spain,
with
Portugal in agreement. Together with the
Treaty of Hubertusburg, it ended the
French and Indian War or
Seven Years' War.[1]
The treaties marked the beginning of an extensive period of British
dominance outside of Europe.[2]
While the bulk of conquered territories were restored to their
pre-war owners, the British made some substantial overseas gains at
the expense of France and, to a lesser extent, Spain.[3]
Preferring to keep
Guadaloupe, France gave up
New France [Canada] and all of its claims to the territory east
of the
Mississippi River to Britain. Spain ceded
Florida to the British, but later received
New Orleans and
French Louisiana from France;
Manila
and Cuba
were restored to Spain. France retained
Saint Pierre and Miquelon and recovered
Guadelupe,
Martinique, and
Saint Lucia in exchange for
Dominica,
Grenada,
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and
Tobago
going to the British. In
India,
the French lost out to the British, receiving back its "factories"
(trading posts), but agreeing to support the British client
governments, as well as returning
Sumatra and agreeing not to base troops in
Bengal.
The British garrison on the
Mediterranean island of
Minorca was returned to her control, having been captured by the
French at the outbreak of hostilities in Europe. Britain
returned the
slave
station on the isle of
Gorée
to the French, but gained the
Senegal River and its settlements. Britain agreed to demolish
its fortifications in
Honduras, but received permission from Spain to keep a
logwood-cutting colony there. Britain confirmed in the treaty
the rights of its new subjects to practice the
Roman Catholic religion[4]
and received confirmation of the continuation of the British king's
Hanoverian right as a
Prince-elector of the
Holy Roman Empire.
1768
In June 1768, George A. Gauld (1732-1782), a Scottish cartographer and
surveyor, in the employ of the British Admiralty, made a map of
coastal Mississippi. He was operating from HMS Sir Edward Hawke.
During his reconnaissance and charting of the region, Gauld made
many observations about Horn Island. He discovered that it was some
sixteen miles in length, but in width no more than one mile.
Orientation was nearly east-west. As regards to vegetation, Gauld
noted that there were uneven groves of trees on the west end of the
island. The middle was characterized by dense growth, and the
eastern end of the sand bar was fairly devoid of tree growth.(Ware,
1982, p.107)
1776
On July 4, 1776, the thirteen American colonies declared their
independence from Great Britain.
1779
In June 1779, Spain declared war on Great
Britain. In September, General Bernado de Galvez
(1746-1786), Spanish governor of the Louisiana Territory, captured
Fort Bute at Manchac, Louisiana; the English garrison at Baton Rouge, Louisiana;
and accepted the surrender of Fort Panmure at Natchez.
Spanish Colonial Period
[1780-1811]
1780
On
March 14, 1780,
General Galvez captured Fort Charlotte and the city of
Mobile, Alabama. The Mississippi Gulf Coast became a part
of
Spanish West Florida.
1781
In May
1781, the English at Pensacola, Florida surrendered to Spanish forces led by
General Galvez.
1783
American Revolutionary War ends with Great Britain the
signing of the Treaty of Paris. America is now bounded
on the north by Canada; east by Atlantic Ocean; south
by Spanish West Florida; and west by the
Mississippi River.
1790
Jean-Baptiste Carquotte [Carco], settles on Biloxi
peninsula.(American State Papers Vol. 3, p. 38)
1793
Louis Fayard; Angelique Ladner Fayard, the Widow Fayard; and Jacques
Mathurin Ladner settle Biloxi peninsula.(American State Papers
Vol. 3, p. 38)
1797
The Mississippi Territory was
organized on
April
7, 1798,
from territory ceded by
Georgia and
South Carolina; it was later twice expanded to include disputed
territory claimed by both the
U.S. and
Spain.
Land was purchased (generally through unequal treaties) from Native
American tribes from 1800 to about 1830.
1803
The
Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition by the
United States of approximately 530 million
acres
(828,000 sq mi
or 2,100,000 km²)
of
French territory on April 30, 1803, at the cost of about 3¢ per
acre (7¢ per
ha);
totaling
$15 million or 80 million
French francs. Including interest, America finally paid
$23,213,568 for the Louisiana territory.[1]
The land purchased contained all of present-day
Arkansas,
Missouri,
Iowa,
Oklahoma,
Kansas,
Nebraska,
Minnesota south of
Mississippi River, much of
North Dakota, nearly all of
South Dakota, northeastern
New Mexico, northern
Texas,
the portions of
Montana,
Wyoming, and
Colorado east of the
Continental Divide, and
Louisiana on both sides of the Mississippi River, including the
city of
New Orleans. (The Oklahoma Panhandle, and southwestern portions
of Kansas and Louisiana were still claimed by
Spain
at the time of the Purchase.) In addition, the Purchase contained
small portions of land that would eventually become part of the
Canadian provinces of
Alberta and
Saskatchewan. The land included in the purchase comprises around
23% of the territory of the modern United States.[1]
The purchase was an important moment in the presidency of
Thomas Jefferson. At the time, it faced domestic opposition as
being possibly
unconstitutional. Although he felt that the Constitution did not
contain any provisions for acquiring territory, Jefferson decided to
purchase Louisiana because he felt uneasy about France and Spain
having the power to block American traders' access to the port of
New Orleans.
1807
Dorsette Richard settle on Biloxi peninsula.(American State
Papers Vol. 3, p. 38)
United States of America
[1811-2007+]
1810
The
Republic of West Florida was declared independent of Spain in
September at St. Francisville, Louisiana. It lasted only
forty-five days.
1811
When Dr. William 'Fat Doctor' Flood, the representative of
Governor Claiborne of the Orleans Territory, was dispatched to the
Mississippi coast to hoist the flag of the United States in January
1811, he found the population between the Pearl River and Biloxi to
be about four hundred people chiefly French and Creoles. Dr. Flood
in his report to Governor Claiborne wrote:
proceeded to the Bay of Biloxi, where I found Mr. Ladnier (Jacques),
and gave him the commission (Justice of the Peace). He is a man of
excellent sense, but can neither read or write, nor can any
inhabitants of the bay of Biloxi that I can hear of. They are, all
along this beautiful coast, a primitive people, of mixed origin,
retaining the gaiety and politeness of the French, blended with the
abstemiousness and indolence of the Indian. They plant a little
rice, and a few roots and vegetables, but depend on subsistence
chiefly on game and fish. I left with all these appointees copies
of the laws, ordinances, etc. But few laws will be wanted here.
The people are universally honest.
There are no crimes. The father of the family or the oldest
inhabitant, settles all disputes......A more innocent and
inoffensive people may not be found. They seem to desire only the
simple necessities of life, and to be let alone in their
tranquility. I am greatly impressed with the beauty and value of
this coast. The high sandy lands, heavily timbered with pine, and
the lovely bays and rivers, from Pearl River to Mobile will furnish
New Orleans with a rich commerce, and with a delightful summer
resort. For a cantonment or military post, in consideration of the
health of the troops, this whole coast is admirably fitted.
1812
Jackson County was created on December 12, 1812 as part of the
Mississippi Territory.
1817
Mississippi entered the Union on December 10th as the 20th
State of the United States of America.
1841
Harrison County, Mississippi
was formed from Hancock and Jackson County, Mississippi
on February 5, 1841.
1844
1847
On June 22nd, John Fayard
sold the Federal Government a tract of land at Biloxi to build a
lighthouse. The consideration was $600.(Harrison
Co., Ms. Land Deed Bk. 3, p. 392)
1850
Biloxi was incorporated on
February 18, 1850.
1853
Yellow Fever struck Biloxi on
June 29th, when it was brought to Biloxi by someone from New
Orleans. Dr. Andreas Byrenheidt (1768-1858) reported following
the crisis that there were 533 cases of Yellow Fever in
Biloxi, which resulted in 111 deaths. He estimated that the
population at this time was 5500 people, which included summer
tourists and those fleeing the epidemic at New Orleans.(Testimony of
Dr. A. Byrenheidt, M.D. in Report of the Sanitary Commission
of NOLA on the Yellow Fever of 1853, 1854, p. 540)
The
1853 Yellow Fever
epidemic at New Orleans killed about 10,000 of the 30,000
persons infected with the mosquito borne virus. It earned the
Crescent City the epithet "Necropolis of the South".
1855
The Hurricane of 1855 of September
15th-16th hits near Bay St. Louis, and destroyed bath houses, piers and many houses at Biloxi
between its three miles of waterfront development from west of the Biloxi Lighthouse
to Point Cadet.(The New Orleans Daily Picayune, September 20,
1855, p. 1 and Sullivan, p. 135)
1856
The Last Islands [Isles Dernieres] Hurricane mauls this seaside
resort off of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana on August 11th and kills
about 200 people. According to modern estimates by the
NOAA
the storm was probably a
Category 4 hurricane with central pressure of around 934 mb. It
tied with
Hurricane Hugo as the 10th most intense hurricane to hit the
mainland United States.
1858
Dr. Andreas Byrenheidt
(1786-1858), Biloxi physician and native of France, expired on March
4th.
1859
In 1859, Joseph H. Bellande (1813-1907) sold
to Bishop William H. Elder of the Diocese of Natchez a lot measuring
192 x 100 feet for the first site of St. Alphonsus Catholic
Church on Porter Avenue for $100.
1860
John B. Toulme (1795-1860), native of Saint Domingue,
now Haiti, expired at Bay St. Louis, on August 17th. He was a
pioneer settler of this village and assisted General Andrew
Jackson (1767-1845) with information on the British invasion
forces in this area during the War of 1812.(The Daily
Picayune, August 25, 1860, p. 2)
1861
The War of the Rebellion or American Civil War commences on April 12,
1861 in South Carolina.
“The Biloxi Rifles”, Company E, 3rd
Mississippi Infantry Regiment, C.S.A., were sworn into State
military service on May 21, 1861 and mustered in Confederate service
on October 5, 1861.(Howell,
To Live and Die in Dixie, 1991, p. 565)
1865
The Civil War ends on April 9, 1865 in Virginia.
1870
On October 29, 1870, the New Orleans, Mobile, & Chattanooga
Railroad (Chartered 1866) completed the rail line between
Mobile and New Orleans. Rail service commenced on November 21,
1870.
1871
The
N.O.M. & C. was reorganized on April 18, 1871 and became the
New Orleans, Mobile & Texas Railroad.
1875
An editorial in The Star of Pascagoula blasted the
New Orleans, Mobile & Texas Railroad as "nothing more
that or less than a gang of highway robbers, entitled to as little
consideration from the people as so many bandits who rob and plunder
the weak and defenseless in defiance of the law. The only
remedy for these wrongs is the sale of the road. Refuse to
patronize the road, even if undergo inconvenience in doing so.(The Star of Pascagoula,
May 22, 1875, p. 2)
In
June, D.B. Seal, District Attorney of Hancock County filed
litigation against
the New Orleans, Mobile, & Chattanooga
Railroad (sic?). The plaintiffs were asking that
the railroad build a draw bridge across the Pearl
River. The present bridge was blocking the East Pearl River
channel, which was needed for the lumber trade.(The Star of Pascagoula,
June 12, 1875, p. 3)
In
the summer of 1875, the Shady Grove Hotel was managed by
Urbain Rambaut (1832-1889), a native of France. The hostelry
was in the process of renovation and refurbishment. Professor
Knapp, a local guide with a horse and buggy, was available for
fishing in Back Bay or leading local history tours.(The Star of
Pascagoula, June 26, 1875, p. 1.)
1877
On
April 1st, the
New Orleans, Mobile & Texas Railroad almost doubled it
fare to $.05 per mile. Before the passenger rate increase
the cost of a round trip ticket to New Orleans from Pascagoula was
$5 and to Mobile $2. After increase, the New Orleans fare was
$10 and that to Mobile $4.10.(The Star of Pascagoula, April 6,
1788, p. 1)
1879
Jefferson Davis (1808-1889) acquired the orange orchard of
Mrs. S.A. Dorsey at Beauvoir for $5000.(The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star, February 28, 1879)
1878
W.K.M. Dukate of Wheatland, Indiana married Linda Lienhard
of Biloxi on April 27th in Biloxi.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
May 3, 1898, p. 3)
James Fewell (1808-1878) native of Virginia and Postmaster
at Biloxi from October 1852 until December 1853 expired
on December 13, 1878. Dr. Theruber of new
Orleans acquired the Fewell place on Back Bay in October 1880.(The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star, December 13,1878, p. 2 and October 22,
1880, p. 3)
1880
. On
Saturday, January 3rd, there was launched at Point Caddie a fine
schooner, built by Marsh Ridgeway for Messrs.
Lopez & Co., and is intended to be used in the oyster business.
She is a fine craft, and the builder deserves credit for the
workmanship manner in which the craft is built. Wine flowed freely
and the launch will long be remembered.(The
Pascagoula-Democrat-Star, "Biloxi Items", January 30, 1880, p. 3)
Messrs. Lopez & Co. have their new
schooner, the
Castelaro, employed
in bringing oysters from outside and planting them on their bedding
grounds. These gentlemen intend to keep well supplied with oysters,
and be ready to meet the demand when the trade opens again./[The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star, 'Biloxi Items' May 21, 1880, p. 3]
In May
1880, Theodore M. Scheffer (1849-1884), a Prussian immigrant,
opened his establishment, the Scheffer House, for guests. It
had been placed in first class condition for the season.(1880
Harrison Co., Mississippi Federal Census T9_648, p. 9, ED 139 and
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, May 28, 1880, p. 3)
1881
William Gorenflo, James
Mayfield, and J.D. Mayer were appointed by the Board of
Supervisors to form a committee to draft an ordinance to regulate
the harvesting and cultivating of oysters in Harrison County,
Mississippi.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, May 20, 1881, p. 3)
1888
1883
Raymond Caillavet (1838-1898), Commissioner of Streets,
started a work gang to open a road from Porter west to the city
limits to connect with the Beach Road to Mississippi City.(The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star, October 5, 1883, p. 3)
1884
George Washington Wilkes (1854-1915)
commences The Biloxi Herald.
1885
The Barataria Canning Company founded.
1886
Nicholas M. Benachi (1812-1886), Greek immigrant and
cotton broker at NOLA died intestate on February 8, 1886, at New
Orleans. He left the following lands at Biloxi with an estimated
value of $15,000. Bounded South by the front bay or Gulf
of Mexico. East by property now owned by John Cleary. North by
Section line and West by the estate of Jacques Fayard having a front
on said front bay or Gulf of Mexico of three hundred and twenty two
feet-six inches running back due North between parallel lines to
said section line a distance of 40 arpents more or less. Also one
lot bounded South by lands of Henry Miller. West by property now
owned by Dr. Maloney. North by the property of Charles Fayard.
East by above described lot measuring North and South eight hundred
feet, East and West.(Harrison County Chancery Court Cause No.
676, August 1894)
1887
1888
Raymond Caillavet (1838-1898), contractor, built a large storage house for the
Biloxi Artesian Ice Manufacturing Company.(The Biloxi Herald,
February 18, 1888, p. 8)
The City of Biloxi enacted a new city charter,
which was approved by the State legislature in early February.(The
Biloxi Herald, January 14, 1888, p. 8, February 11, 1888, p. 1 and March 11, 1888, p. 9)
John Walker was
elected Mayor of Biloxi over Wm. P. Murray, Emile Laudner, and
Raymond Caillavet (1838-1898).(The
Biloxi Herald, March 11, 1888, p. 9)
The Gulf View Hotel was
leased by P.J. Montross (1841-1897) of the Montross Hotel.(The Biloxi
Herald, April 7, 1888, p. 8)
L&N
RR erecting a freight depot and refurbishing the old building
for passenger traffic with separate waiting rooms for male and
female transients.(The Biloxi Herald, May 12, 1888, p. 8)
The Scheffer House has been repaired and in first class
condition to receive guests.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, May
28, 1880, p. 3)
Achille J. Chiapella (1862-1936) sold his Four Seasons Hotel to the
Wilkinson Brothers. It opened on June 2nd as the Wilkinson
Hotel.(The
Biloxi Herald, May 26 and June 2, 1888, p. 8)
Jefferson Davis
returned to Beauvoir from his cotton plantation at
Briarfield.(The
Biloxi Herald, June 30, 1888, p. 8)
Charles Gayarre, prominent Louisiana historian, was in
Biloxi to visit the Reverend Doctor Hinsdale.(The
Biloxi Herald, July 28, 1888, p. 8)
The Dunbar & Company cannery at
Bay St. Louis is at a dead standstill like the Mississippi
City cannery. Biloxi canneries run and prosper. Why
can't the others?(The Biloxi Herald, November 3, 1888, p. 8)
Howard Memorial School
[Gift of Frank T. Howard (1855-1911 and
Harry T. Howard (1856-1930) which was built and designed by John R.
Harkness & Son in 1888 for $10,000]
John R. Harkness has
taken contract to build the new public school building, which
was donated by the Howard family.(The Biloxi Herald,
August 4, 1888, p. 8)
C.F.
Theobald, secretary of the School Board, announced the following
teachers and salaries for the 1888-1889 school year: C.D.
Lancaster, principal-$60 per month; Mrs. S. Booth, 1st assistant-$35
per month; Miss. F.H. Walthall-$30 per month; Miss Edna Holley-$30
per month; Miss M.T. Rodenberg-$25 per month.(The Biloxi Herald,
October 6, 1888, p. 8)
New
building erected between Delauney [G.E. Ohr] and
Magnolia on Pass Christian Street [Howard Avenue] by John R.
Harkness will be open next month as a clothing and notion store.
(The Biloxi Herald, October 27,
1888, p. 8)
George G. Day, former
manager of the Gulf View Hotel, left for Florida.(The
Biloxi Herald, November 3, 1888, p. 8)
L&N
RR with J.T. Harahan, General Manager, and an inspection
party aboard made the run between Beauvoir and Biloxi at the
rate of 65 1/2 miles per hour.(The Biloxi Herald, November
24, 1888, p. 8)
Sixteen Biloxi carpenters
and laborers were employed to erect the new Quarantine
Station on the Chandeleur Islands.(The Biloxi Herald,
November 24, 1888, p. 8)
John Henry Keller (1830-1908), NOLA soap merchant and Biloxi
real estate investor, married Martha 'Mattie
Washington Silk (1853-1913) at NOLA on November 15, 1888.(The Biloxi Herald,
November 24, 1888, p. 8)
Total
enrollment in the Biloxi Public School for the year to date in
202 students. Average attendance is 137 students.(The
Biloxi Herald, November 24, 1888, p. 8)
The Ocean View Hotel
of C.F. Theobald was leased to H. Edwards and plans to
open January 1, 1889.(The Biloxi Herald, December 1, 1888,
p. 8)
The Tegarden Hotel at
Mississippi City burned to the ground on November 26th.
It had been recently leased to Mrs. Alexander.(The Biloxi Herald,
December 1, 1888, p. 8)
F.W. Elmer requested from the US Secretary of the Treasury
that Biloxi be made a Port of Entry.(The
Biloxi Herald, December 15, 1888, p. 8)
Harry T. Howard (1856-1930) was in town and took several photographic images
of the new school house.(The Biloxi Herald, December 15, 1888, p.
8)
1889
The Reverend Robert H.
Hinsdale expired on January 9th. He was at the Church of
the Redeemer from 1883 until his demise. On his death bed,
Reverend Hinsdale requested that Harry T. Howard erect a new
Episcopal Church on the beach at Biloxi.(The Daily Herald,
January 9, 1913, p. 1)
Jefferson Davis
(1808-1889) died at New Orleans on December 6th. His remains
were interred in the Metairie Cemetery.
1890
Emile Laudner [Ladner]
(1840-1890) died at his home on Pass Christian Street, now
Howard Avenue, on February 26th. Two term Biloxi
Mayor [1883-1884 and 1887-1888]. Pioneer in the seafood
industry at Biloxi and founder of the Deer Island Oyster and Fish
Company. In the seafood business as early as September
1876.(The Biloxi Herald, March 1, 1890, p. 1 and The
Biloxi Mirror September 9, 1876, p. 3)
1891
Lopez, Dunbar's Sons & Company
advertising to buy figs. Had agents at Grand Bay, Alabama,
Scranton [Pascagoula], and Ocean Springs.(The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star, June 19, 1891, p. 2)
The new plant of the Barataria
Canning Company was completed in July. H.R. Gogreve,
president; Isidore Hechinger, vice pres.; H. Bentz, treasurer;
Isidore Heidenheim, secretary; and H. Edwards Jr.,
superintendent.(The Biloxi Herald, July 11, 1891, p. 4)
The Public School had an
enrollment of 264 students. J.L. Ladd, principal;
Faculty: Miss Josie Santini; Miss Melancon; and Miss
Edna Holley.(The Biloxi Herald, December 26, 1891, p. 8)
1892
The old Bellande building near the L&N depot has been
demolished and the foundation is being laid for a new two-story
edifice.(The Biloxi Herald, January 9, 1892, p. 8)
H. Eugene Tiblier Jr. (1866-1936), found a sunken French
vessel in the Back Bay of Biloxi beneath the shallow water over
the family oyster lease, near the L&N Railroad bridge. Captain
Tiblier hired Joseph "Pep" Suarez (1840-1912), who owned the
schooner, Maggie, to assist in the salvage of
artifacts from the hold of the sunken ship. His sons, Albert
Tiblier and Vital Tiblier, dove on the oyster bank during the
salvage operations. According to a report of The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star of September 23, 1892, the Tiblier family
recovered four cannons, swords and scabbards, some muskets, cannon
balls, wooden sheaves, fire brick, iron braces, and rock ballast.
1893
The Bank of Biloxi was chartered on
February 21st.(Harrison Co., Ms. Charter Bk. 2, p. 69)
In
April,
J.R. Harkness was contracted by Lopez, Dunbar's Sons & Co.
to construct a new, five thousand dollar, 18,000 square-ft.. cannery
on the former site of the old one. Two-story,
mansard towers on each end functioned as office space.(The
Biloxi Herald, April 15, 1893, p. 1)
In April, the Biloxi Milling Company,
commenced operations making flour and meal. It was founded
by Missourians, E.G. Burklin, James B. 'Buck' Chinn (1857-1912),
R.D. Chinn,
and Mr. Brewton.(The Biloxi Herald, January 7, 1893, p. 8 and
April 22, 1893, p. 1)
In April J.R. Harkness & Sons
announced plans to build a steam planning and milling plant
in the rear of the Opera House on Pass Christian Street and
Magnolia Street.(The Biloxi Herald, April 22, 1893, p. 1)
In April, J.R. Harkness & Sons
relocated the Episcopal Church from Pass Christian Street to
the Beach.(The Biloxi Herald, April 22, 1893, p. 1)
In late May, the corporal remains of
Jefferson Davis (1808-1889) were sent from New Orleans by
a L&N funeral car to Richmond, Virginia for burial on May
31st in the Hollywood Cemetery.(The Biloxi Herald, May 29,
1893, p. 1)
The Seashore Academy, a boy's
boarding school, opened with Dr. G.S. Roudebush, school master.
It was located about 1500 feet west of the Biloxi Lighthouse.(The
Biloxi Herald, July 1, 1893, p. 8)
The Mexican Gulf Coast Illustrated
written by T.H. Glenn of Ocean Springs is complete
and being bound.(The Biloxi Herald, July 8, 1893, p. 8)
The Columbian Exposition Edition, an
eight page and eight column journal, was published by The
Biloxi Herald in July. G.W. Wilkes, publisher, and W.L.
Gilbert were responsible for this splendid publication.(The
Biloxi Herald, July 22, 1893, p. 1 and July 29, 1893, p. 1)
The Biloxi Canning Company is having
two large barges built at the shipyard of Francis Codina at
Pascagoula.(The Biloxi Herald, July 29, 1893, p. 8)
In late July, The Beach
House, a new hotel on the beach, was completed for occupancy by
J.R. Harkness, contractor, for Mrs. M.E. Drysdale, the
owner.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, July 29, 1893, p. 8)
E.G. Burklin of Vandalia, Missouri
agreed to install 45 street lights of 32 candle power to the
City of Biloxi.(The Biloxi Herald, September 30, 1893, p. 1)
The October Storm or Cheniere
Caminada Storm hits near Grand Isle, Louisiana on October
1st.
The white public school opened
on October 16th with 85 boys and 75 girls. Faculty composed
of: C.D. Lancaster, principal; Miss Josie Santini,
Miss Mollie Rodenberg; Miss Edna Holley, Mrs. S. Booth,
and Miss Rosa Andrews. Salaries set for teachers as
follows: C.D. Lancaster-$85 per month; Josie Santini-$45 per month;
and Mollie Rodenberg, Rosa Andrews, and Mrs. S. Booth $40 per month.(The
Biloxi Herald, October 14, 1893, p. 1 and October 21, 1893, p. 8)
The colored public
school was to open on the first Monday in November.(The
Biloxi Herald, October 14, 1893, p. 1)
Casimir J. Harvey (1845-1904)
of Back Bay [D'Iberville] commenced his ferry operation across
Back Bay to Biloxi on December 2nd. His vessel was
called ‘the Shrimp’. Captain Ed Richards took over he rope
or skiff ferry and handled the oars.(The Biloxi Herald, December
2, 1893, p. 1)
The Montross Hotel
installed electric lights in December.(The Biloxi Herald, December
9, 1893, p. 8)
1894
W.K.M.
Dukate returned from Baltimore with fifty Bohemians to
work the remainder of the seafood season at the Lopez, Dunbar's
Sons & Co. factory. Harry Edwards of the
Barataria Canning Co. left this week also for Baltimore
on business to employ about fifty people.(The Biloxi
Herald, January 20, 1894, p. 8)
The Columbia, Lumberton & Gulf Railroad was recently
chartered. The railroad will tap for ninety miles some of
the finest pine lands in the State. Plans to connect with the
Gulf & Ship Island RR. at Lumberton, Mississippi.(The
Biloxi Herald, January 20, 1894, p. 8)
The Biloxi Electric Light Company
was chartered on February 2nd.(Harrison Co., Ms. Charter Bk. 2, p.
116)
The Biloxi and Back Bay Bridge Company
was chartered on June 2nd.(Harrison Co., Ms. Charter Bk. 2, p.
186)
Commercial district hit by large fire
on October 11th. Ohr family businesses destroyed including the
pottery of G.E. Ohr Jr. (1857-1918).
1895
The Biloxi Banner, a local
journal was established by W.E. Champlin (1866-1895+) at
Biloxi on March 16th. In 1892, Mr. Champlin had
commenced The Mentor at Handsboro, Mississippi.(Dyer,
1895, 'Biloxi')
'The Westbrooks',
local baseball club of Ocean Springs, lost to the
'Lemons' of Biloxi 29 to 7 at Ocean Springs. The
battery for Ocean Springs was Fayard, Seeman (sic), and Katchardt
(sic). Biloxi's battery was Clark and Henley. Clark
struck out ten Westbrooks, while Seeman (sic) fanned only two
'Lemons'.(The Biloxi Herald, May 11, 1895, p. 8)
The L&N Railroad completed
two new railroad stations on the east and west end of Biloxi.
The Coast train and Excursion trains on Wednesday
and Sunday will stop at both places. The L&N has named these
stations as the Oak Street Station (east) and the Gill
Avenue Station (west). Local citizens suggested the
names Summerville (east) and Oakmere (west), but they
were rejected by the railroad.(The
Biloxi Herald, May 11, 1895, p. 8)
Morris and Eaton have leased the Arcade House on
the Beach and will conduct a first class hotel.(The
Biloxi Herald, May 11, 1895, p. 8)
1896
People's Bank of Biloxi
established in April. C.F. Theobald, pres.; Ed Glennan, vice
pres.; and C.E. Theobald, cashier.
Captain John H. Miller (1847-1928)
assumed editorial control of The Biloxi Herald
on October 31, 1896 from George W. Wilkes.(The Daily
Herald, April 23, 1928, p. 2)
In November, the Back
Back Artesian Water Company was chartered by John Bradford,
Arthur Reynoir, Mrs. A Richards, and Sam D. Shaw.(The Biloxi
Herald, November 28, 1896, p. 8)
Captain John H. Miller
mortally wounded Jules Soule, editor of The Biloxi
Review on December 7th.(The Biloxi Herald, December 12,
1896, p. 8)
The People's Telephone Company of Biloxi was chartered in
December by W.K.M. Dukate, Ernest Doyle, J.D. McKie, W.A. White,
John Walker, and Ed Glennan.(The Biloxi Herald, December 5, 1896,
p. 8)
On Christmas Day, the first
horse races were held at the Gulf View Baseball Park and Race
Track.(The Biloxi Herald, December 26, 1896, p. 8)
1897
Dr. Anthony P. Champlin
(1839-1897) died at Biloxi in early March. He had been a
quarantine physician for several years and at the time of his demise
was in charge of the Cat Island Quarantine Station.(The Biloxi
Herald, March 15, 1897)
Peter Joseph Montross
(1841-1897), proprietor of the Montross Hotel died at Biloxi on
March 27, 1897. His corporal remains were sent to New Orleans
for internment in the vault belonging to the Army of the Tennessee.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, April 3, 1897, p. 8)
John R. Harkness (1827-1903) has the
contract to erect the residence of John C. Carraway
(1873-1931) and William P. Burke (1858-1924) will build the
house of Dr. Daniel A. Nash (1858-1904). Both
structures are on the beach.(The Biloxi Herald, April 3, 1897, p.
1)
The Iroquois Club, a men's social
was organized in April with Phil McCabe, president; J.J. Kennedy,
secretary; and Louis E. Gill, treasurer.(The Biloxi Daily Herald,
April 24, 1897, p. 8)
The Biloxi Business League
was created on April 21st. W.K.M. Dukate (1852-1916),
president; E.W. Morrill, vice president; J.P. Chinn,
treasurer; and William F. Gray, secretary.(The Biloxi
Daily Herald, April 24, 1897, p. 8)
Dr. Hyman McMacken. Folkes
(1871-1926) came to Biloxi to from Jackson to accept the post
of Quarantine Officer at Ship Island.(The Biloxi Daily
Herald, April 24, 1897, p. 8)
William C. Morgan and son
leased the Montross Hotel in early May.(The Biloxi Daily
Herald, May 8, 1897, p. 8)
John H. Miller, editor of The
Biloxi Herald, was found not guilty in the manslaughter of Jules Soule.(The Biloxi Herald, July 3, 1897, p. 1)
John Stevenson Parkhurst and
Caroline Boardman Parkhurst, spouse, were murdered at
their Back Bay Biloxi residence 'Parkhurst' on October 21st.(The
Biloxi Herald, October 23, 1897, p. 1 and October 30, 1897, p. 8 and
January 15, 1898, p. 5)
1898
Raymond Caillavet
(1838-1898), former Mayor, treasurer, councilman, and street
commissioner, expired on February 16th.(The Biloxi Herald,
February 19, 1898, p. 5)
The
Spanish American War began on April 21st.
1899
Mayor Harry T. Howard
(1856-1930) resigned his office in early September and was replaced
by Dr. Daniel A. Nash (1858-1904), Alderman Ward III, who was
appointed to the office by Governor McLaurin on September 5th.(The
Biloxi Daily Herald, September 9, 1899, p. 1).
Enrollment in the
Biloxi Public white schools for 1898-1899 was 553 students [300 females
and 253 males] and 100 students [61 females and 39 males] for the
colored school.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, September 9, 1899,
p. 1)
J.H. Owings was named
Biloxi Public School superintendent and principal with a salary of
$120/month. J.A. Burns headed up the colored school and
paid $40/month.(The
Biloxi Daily Herald, September 9, 1899, p. 1)
1900
The Biloxi Benevolent
Association was founded on January 11th.
The 1st Biloxi Yacht Club
Regatta was held in August.
Thompson & Eistetter,
architects and builders, awarded $10,000 contract to erect a new
Gothic-style, Baptist Church of brick and stone at Lameuse
and Jackson.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, October 5 , 1900, p. 8)
Mayor Daniel A. Nash
(1858-1904) announced that $17,435.48 had been deposited in
The Bank of Biloxi for the new bridge across Back Bay.(The
Biloxi Daily Herald, October 5 and October 6, 1900, p. 8)
Joseph W.
Swetman (1863-1937), president of the Bryan and Stevenson
Club of Biloxi returned from the National Association of
Democratic Clubs at Indianapolis.(The Biloxi Daily Herald,
October 6, 1900, p. 8)
The Biloxi Daily Herald noted that, one of the greatest needs of Biloxi is a new
school house for Colored children." It recommended
that the city government build an adequate school house to cost
about $300 on a tract owned by the Colored community of Biloxi.(The
Biloxi Daily Herald, October 30, 1900, p. 8)
Bradford's 'Bus', which
made regular trips from City Hall to Joullian's Factory via
Reynoir Street commenced on November 1st. Fare five
cents.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, November 9,
1900, p. 1)
On November 9th, the Great Biloxi Fire started
in the rear of Kennedy's Saloon near the L&N Depot on Reynoir
Street Hotel and devastated about ninety commercial and
residential structures south to the beach.
Damages estimated at about $600,000.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, November 9,
1900, p. 1)
Joseph W. Swetman
(1863-1937), defeated F.W. Elmer (1847-1926) for Mayor of
Biloxi.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, December 12, 1900, p. 1)
The 1900 population of
Biloxi taken by the US Federal Census was announced as 5467
people.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, December 16, 1900, p. 1)
20th Century
Biloxi, Mississippi entered the 20th
Century with hope and opportunity. The City was recovering
from the Great Fire of November 1900, which particularly devastated
Reynoir Street from the L&N Depot to the Front Beach. By
January 2001, construction was pervasive in the blackened area of
the City. As The Biloxi Daily Herald related:
"the district between the railroad and Reynoir Street will soon have
done the 'Phoenix' and been redeemed from the 'burnt district.'
The seafood industry was unharmed by the Great Fire and
continued to grow as refrigeration and rapid transportation to
distant markets improved. The introduction of the motorized
trawler eventually replaced the 'Biloxi Schooner'.
1901
Thompson &
Eistetter, architects and builders, were awarded the contract to
erect the Kennedy Hotel on Reynoir Street and Railroad.
Their bid for this two-story, brick structure was $8610, the
lowest submitted. The highest submitted bid was $11,314(The
Biloxi Daily Herald, January 2, 1901, p. 8 and January 3, 1901, p. 8
and )
The new Baptist Church
is being built by Thompson & Eistetter, architects and
builders. The Reverend Dr. Searcy is in residence.[editor
note: This structure was on Lameuse Street and Washington Street(The
Biloxi Daily Herald, January 6, 1901, p. 8)
The foundation of the
L. Lopez Co. , situated on Reynoir Street and Howard Avenue,
commenced on January 10th.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, January
10, 1901, p. 8)
W.H. Maybin has
let contract for a $3500 residence on the beach near Porter
Avenue.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, January 11, 1901, p. 8)
In January, a large
seafood cannery, was commenced at Gulfport.(The Biloxi
Daily Herald, January 12, 1901, p. 8)
In June, work was
commenced by Contractor Owens on the
Biloxi Yacht Club in the front of the Montross Hotel with the
demolition of bath houses and other structures.(The Biloxi
Herald, June 12, 1901, p. 1)
The first pedestrian
Bridge, a wooden structure, across Back Bay Biloxi informally opened
at 6:00 a.m. on
August 3rd.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, August 3 and August 4, 1901, p. 1)
Hurricane strikes Mississippi
Coast near Pascagoula, Mississippi on August 15th.
Robert M. Mosley
(1865-1910), City marshal, expects to take possession of his new
house on Howard Avenue.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, November 1,
1901, p. 8)
Ole Thompson
(1874-1944) was awarded the contract to build a new home
on the beach for Mr. Charlton.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, November
1, 1901, p. 8)
1902
In 1902, the S.S. Bullis Company successfully dredged the
channel between Ship Island and the main terminal at Gulfport.
The Summer Pavilion, a public recreational facility situated
in the water between Reynoir and Croesus Street, opened on June
18th. It was 104 feet by 40 feet with a lofty roof and an
awning on its perimeter. Dances were held on Tuesday and
Friday. Charles M. Wilkes was the manager.(The
Biloxi Herald, June 14, 1902, p. 8)
The Mississippi State Oyster Commission was organized on
September 1, 1902. Robert M. Mosley (1865-1910), native
of Kemper Co., Mississippi and two term Biloxi Marshal and former
policeman at Meridian, was the Chief Oyster Inspector
from 1902 until his demise in November 1910.(The Daily Herald,
December 1, 1910, p. 1)
1903
In February, The Biloxi
Review was led by J.D. McKie, editor and
publisher.(invoice in Harrison Co., Ms. Chancery Court Cause No.
899)
1904
Dr. Daniel Arthur Nash
(1859-1904), a dentist and native of Livingston, Sumter County, Alabama, husband of
Lizzie Carraway Nash Lowd (1869-1935), and Mayor of Biloxi 1899-1900,
was accidentally shot and expired in late March.(The Ocean
Springs Progress, April 2, 1904, p. 4)
Shrimp from the Louisiana
marsh were selling for $2.50 per barrel [200 pounds to the barrel].(The
Biloxi Daily Herald, October 3, 1904, p. 1)
An electric railway system was completed.
Mayor F.W. Elmer was notified
by the Department of Commerce and Labor that Chandeleur,
Heron, North and New Harbor Islands were made bird
sanctuaries(The Daily Herald, November 17, 1914, p. 5)
John C. Bradford (1855-1928) was
ran unopposed for Mayor of Biloxi.(The Biloxi Daily
Herald, December 14, 1905, p. 5)
The $12,500 Chiapella Hotel
on Reynoir Street was under construction.(The Biloxi Daily
Herald, November 1904 and December 20, 1905, p. 1)
1905
A.O. Bourdon initiated the
Biloxi Tarpon Club.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, January 17,
1905, p. 5)
Benachi Avenue, from
Howard Avenue to the beach, was ordered graded and
shelled by
Mayor John C. Bradford (1855-1928) and the aldermen of Biloxi. This
was good new to those living on that beautiful
“Avenue of Oaks”. When completed it created one of the most
beautiful thoroughfares in the South or anywhere else.
Benachi Avenue was originally the path for ingress-egress from
the Nicholas M. Benachi (1812-1886) beachfront home to Pass Christian Road (now Howard
Avenue).(The
Biloxi Daily Herald, December 6, 1905, p. 1)
Philip McCabe (1837-1905), native of New Orleans and first
chief engineer of the Biloxi Volunteer Fire Company, expired in
mid-December. In their youth, Ed Glennan and
Charles Redding both worked for Mr. McCabe at NOLA
when he had a stove business on Camp Street.(The Biloxi Daily
Herald, December 16, 1905, p. 5)
Frederick W. Elmer (1883-1948) won a special election
for Harrison County Beat 1 Supervisor defeating F.H. McCaleb
and Raymond Quave.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, December 20, 1905, p.
4)
The railway system merged with the Mississippi Coast Traction
Company.
1906
1907
The rates for The Biloxi Daily
Herald were $.10 per week; $.45 per month; out-of
town Wednesday and Saturday editions $1.50 per year or $.90 for six
months.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, April 24, 1907, p. 1)
The Beauvoir Soldier's Home
Hospital opened in late March. The twenty-four patient bed
infirmary was built for $7500 on the west end of the property.
Dr. Hyman M. Folkes (1871-1926) was the house surgeon and nurses
were Mrs. M.C. Ansley and Annie Anderson.(The Biloxi Daily
Herald, April 24, 1907, p. 1)
Captain John C. Walker (1834-1907), steamboat man, Confederate Naval veteran, former Mayor
of Biloxi, and merchant, killed himself and Mary P. Lowery Walker,
his wife, on June 8th.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, June 8, 1907, p.
1)
Captain Fred Eaton left Biloxi in
late June aboard Tom, a large power boat, to open a
new canning factory for Lopez and Dukate at Morgan City,
Louisiana.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, June 29, 1907, p. 5)
Henry Krohn, overseer,
commenced work on a new road from the Tchoutacabouffa River
south to the Back Bay Bridge in September. It became known
as the Lamey's Bridge Road.(The Daily Herald, September
22, 1907 and September 22, 1947, p. 1)
1908
The Biloxi City Council passed a
raw milk inspection ordinance.(The Biloxi Daily Herald,
January 10, 1908, p. 1)
In March the Mississippi Legislature
passed House Bill N. 286-1908 that allowed municipalities to
create a Commission form of government.(The Daily Herald,
March 26, 1908, p. 1)
John Henry Keller (1830-1908),
soap merchant and large land owner at Biloxi expired at NOLA on
November 5, 1908.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, November 6, 1908, p.
2)
1909
'Beach Home', a
boarding house on West Beach, was leased to Henry Handley by
Miss Knoblin.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, April 24, 1909, p. 8)
The oyster season was a dismal
failure at New Orleans.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, April 24,
1909, p. 8)
A. 'Toy' Catchot
acquired the Central Market Stand on Lameuse and Howard.(The
Biloxi Daily Herald, April 24, 1909, p. 8)
The graduating Class of 1909
Biloxi High School was: Minnie Briggs; Ruby Barbara Dacey; Bert
Oran Gunn; Alys Claire Hatlestad; Florence Picard; Mary Alma Ritch
(1890-1964); and Charles Aurelius Roper.
Valedictorian-Florence Picard and Minnie Briggs, Salutatorian.(The
Biloxi Daily Herald, June 9, 1909, p. 1)
On June 25th, the voters of
Biloxi rejected the Commission form of government 299
votes to 119 votes.(The Daily Herald, May 30, 1910, p. 1)
In November 1909, the City of Biloxi
began acquiring a seventy-five foot strip for a street and
bulkhead purposes from the landowners between the Biloxi
Lighthouse and the town to the east area. The name of the
throughway was to be West Beach Street or Front Street.(Harrison
Co., Ms. Land Deed Bk. 40, p. 205)
Four hundred skiff oyster permits were sold in 1909.(The
Daily Herald, December 10, 1909, p. 1)
1910
In late May, the voters
of Biloxi rejected the Commission form of government 315
to 225 votes.(The Daily Herald, May 30, 1910, p. 1)
The Biloxi Yacht Club
became a member of the American Power Boat Association.
Power boats were raced for the first time on July 13th, 1910
at the BYC Regatta.(The Daily Herald, May 30, 1910, p. 6)
Robert M. Mosley
(1865-1910), Chief Oyster Inspector and former City Marshall,
expired at Biloxi on November 21, 1910.(The Daily Herald,
December 1, 1910, p. 1)
1911
1912
The Harrison County Board of
Supervisors ordered that a bridge be built built over the
Biloxi River at the Lorraine Ferry.(The Daily
Herald, February 9, 1912, p. 1)
The voters of
northern Harrison County, Forrest, Perry, and George Counties
went to the polls on March 19th to decide whether to create
Stone County, Mississippi from portions of their lands.(The
Daily Herald, March 19, 1912, p. 1 and March 20, 1912, p. 1)
Andrew J. Bourdon (1873-1912) native
of New Orleans, electrician and retail ice merchant, expired on
April 10th.(The Daily Herald, April 10, 1912, p. 1)
The graduating Class of 1912 Biloxi High School was: Lily
Bowen; Ruth Campbell; Gardiner Champlin; Clarence Campbell; Ione
Dulion; Caroine Gilbert; Jessie Gunn; Maude Joullian; Alecia Staed;
John Toler; and Stella Walker.(The Daily Herald, May 28, 1912, p.
4)
A petition was circulated at
Biloxi requesting that the Mayor and Board of Aldermen give the
citizens of Biloxi the right to vote for a commission form of
government.(The Daily Herald, May 28, 1912, p. 1)
The Louisiana Supreme Court
ruled that Louisiana Act 189 of 1910, a law which made it a
misdemeanor to transport oysters from Louisiana for canning purposes,
was declared unconstitutional. The case was State of Louisiana
v. L.J. Ferrandou.(The Daily Herald, June 5, 1912, p. 1.)
James Buchanan Chinn
(1857-1912), expired on June 6th. He was in the
feed and drayage business and was a founder of the Biloxi
Milling Company. Mr. Chinn was the father of Roy Chinn,
Mayor R. Hart Chinn (1888-1972), Gill Chinn, and Mary Chinn.(The
Daily Herald, June 6, 1912, p. 1)
The T.H. Kimbrough home on
East Beach near Lee Street was sold to Colonel T.H. Warren in
June.(The Daily Herald, June 7, 1912, p. 1)
The
Petrous Manufacturing Company
was founded in 1912, to
manufacture turpentine cups.
The facility was located in Biloxi, Mississippi on Lee Street near
the L&N Railroad.(The Daily Herald, October 16, 1912, p. 8
1913
The Biloxi Emancipation Association, Adam Jackson, president
and M.L. Webb, secretary, celebrated the 50th Anniversary of
Emancipation on New Year's Night.(The Daily Herald, January
9, 1913, p. 8)
William A. Gordon (1858-1913), owner of the Biloxi Canning Company,
died at New Orleans on January 9th.(The Daily Herald, January 10,
1913, p. 1)
The new Elks Club building on Lameuse Street was dedicated on
the 13th.
In July 1913, the Harrison County Board of Supervisors let a
$6300 contract to the Austin Brothers of Atlanta, Georgia to erect a
structure across the Tchoutacabouffa River to replace the Lamey
Ferry. In November 1913, board member, F.W. Elmer Sr., was
appointed to oversee construction of the bridge.(HARCO, Ms. Board
of Supervisors Minute Bk. 10, p. 274 and p. 391)
1914
At its April 1914 meeting, the
Harrison County Board of Supervisors accepted the completed work
and paid the Austin Brothers for the Tchoutacabouffa River bridge.
Philip Lamey was appointed bridge keeper for one year and paid $30
per month for his services.(HARCO, Ms. Board of Supervisors
Minute Bk. 11, p. 6 and p. 10)
The stage and dressing rooms of
the Airdome theater on Reynoir Street between Howard Avenue
and the L&N Depot caught fire and burned.(The Daily
Herald, May 5, 1914, p. 1)
John W. Apperson, E.T.
Apperson, and George W. Grayson chartered the Apperson
Hotel Company in July.(Harrison Co., Ms. Chancery Court
Charter Bk. 15, p. 7)
WW I commenced in
Europe when Germany declared war on Russian and France in early
August.
1915
Salvatore Pizzati (1839-1915), pioneer
fruit importer of NOLA, gave Biloxi $1000 to erect a dance
pavilion, the Pizatti Pavilion. The structure was complete
in June. Mr. Pizzati expired at NOLA on
December 30, 1915.(The Daily Herald, February 18, 1915, p. 1 and June 8,
1915, p. 1)
Newspaperman, George W. Wilkes
(1854-1915), expired on March 29th.
In late April 1915, D.B. Lemon,
an experienced mill man, planned to harvest timber from Cat
Island. Estimated reserves at 3,500,000 board feet. Mill could
process 7,000 board feet each day. Lumber shipped to Gulfport for
domestic and export utilization.(The Daily Herald, April 28,
1915, p. 7)
1916
The new Biloxi Yacht Club was
erected by Christian A. Thompson and O.E. Thompson.(The Jackson
County Times, July 29, 1916, p. 1)
The C.B. Foster Company Packing
Company was chartered in August 1916 at Biloxi and Violet, St.
Bernard Parish, Louisiana.(Harrison Co., Mississippi Chancery Court
Charter Bk. 16, p. 284)
St. Mary's Catholic School of
Our Mother of Sorrows Parish was dedicated on September 6th.
Father Carl F. Schappert, S.S.J., the pastor, will operate
the school for Black children of which more than one hundred
will be in attendance.(The Daily Herald, September 7, 1916, p. 3)
1917
The United States declared war on
Germany on April 6th.
John Harry Portman (1878-1917), former G.E. Ohr pottery assistant and
lighthouse keeper
at Round Island and Sand Island, expired on June 13, 1917 at the
Marine Hospital in Mobile. Corporal remains
interred in the Biloxi Cemetery.(The Daily Herald, June 14, 1917,
p. 3)
The citizens of Biloxi voted on December 31, 1917 to
change their city government to the Commission Form by a
vote of 340 for and only 43 against.(The Daily
Herald, January 4, 1918, p. 1)
1918
The Biloxi Golf Club was chartered
on May 22nd. Construction had begun in March with
Jack Daray (1881-1958), a professional golf superintendent
domiciled at Grand Rapids, Michigan, in charge of the operation.(Harrison Co., Ms. Charter Bk. 18, p. 254
and The Daily Herald, March 23, 1918, p. 1)
George E. Ohr Jr., Biloxi's 'Mad
Potter', expired on April 7th.
World War I ends in November 1918.
1919
In January 1919, the Biloxi city
government changed to the Commission format with city officials
elected every four years. John J. Kennedy was the first Mayor
elected to this new scheme defeating Ed Glennan 273 votes to 271
votes.(The Daily Herald, November 21, 1918, p. 1)
J.B. Lemon (1862-1919), former
proprietor of Lemon's Drug Store in Biloxi expired on August
6th at Ocean Springs where he had been in the pharmacy business
since March 1918. Pansy Belle Robarts (d. 1943), his widow,
was the sister of Adele Robarts Arndt (1875-1945), the wife of
George E. Arndt (1857-1945), prominent Ocean Springs businessman.(The
Daily Herald, August 7, 1919, p. 4)
1920
Dejean Packing Company founded by
Charles DeJean (1879-1961), Frank G. Bosarge (1878-1932), and
Elmer Williams (1898-1985).
George Petro (1882-1920+), Biloxi
photographer, 1893 Syrian immigrant and husband of Clemence
Mickoul (1897-1920+), sold his business to C.F. Gilligan
(1861-1943) of Akron,
Ohio, and
relocated to Hattiesburg, Mississippi to
manage a large studio.(The Daily Herald, January 19, 1920,
p. 3)
Martin F. Hass (b. 1903)
entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York with 598
other plebes.(The Daily Herald, July 6, 1920, p. 4)
The population of Biloxi was 10,937 people.(The Daily Herald, December 24, 1926, p. 1)
1921
1922
In early June, the 'new' Wachenfeld Pavilion was dedicated.
Both the pier and pavilion were enlarged considerably. The
diving tower at the end of the new pier is a new feature.
Charles W. Wachenfeld (1868-1936)
was the owner.(The Daily Herald, June 8, 1922, p. 3)
On July 31, 1922, the Biloxi Artesian Ice Manufacturing
Company took a 10 year lease from Robert E. ‘Lee’ Elder
(1865-1931) on tract north designated as No. 135 West Back Bay -
Chartres Street, now East Bay View Avenue. William Gorenflo, was
president and E.L. Dukate, secretary, of the company.(HARCO, Ms.
Land Deed Bk. 135, p. 244)
Dejean Packing Company was destroyed by fire in August
1922 and rebuilt in nineteen days. It was chartered in
November 1922 by Charles DeJean (1879-1961), Frank G. Bosarge
(1878-1932),
and Elmer Williams (1898-1985).(The Daily Herald, September 13,
1922, p. 3 and Harrison County, Ms. Charter Bk. 7, p. 425)
1923
Back Bay Community Center
[from The Biloxi Daily Herald, p. 41]
1924
The J.C. Penny
Company department store opened at Biloxi on August 30th in the
Peoples Bank Building. The store carries a large stock
of high class merchandise.(The Jackson County Times, August 30,
1924, p. 5)
On January 22, 1924, R.E. “Lee” Elder (1865-1931) conveyed
to the City of Biloxi for $3500, a lot 92 feet fronting
on Back Bay to the north, south 768 feet to Elder Street. Here the
City of Biloxi created the Back Bay City Park.
Here in December 1925, the City planned to move and remodel
as a Community House and Club, the home formerly
owned by John C. Bradford (1855-1928).(HARCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 140,
p. 371 and The Daily Herald, December 16, 1925, p. 2)
In 1923-1924, the Gorenflo School
was designed by architect Carl E. Matthes (1896-1972) and
erected. It was originally called the Back Bay Elementary School.
Its area of educational responsibility included: All north of the
L&N Railroad from Caillavet to Lee Street, including the east side
of Caillavet and the west side of Lee; north of Division bounded by
Caillavet and Seal.
Gulf and Ship Island Railroad
merged with the Illinois Central Railroad.
The Henry M. Piaggio $3 |
