Biloxi: History

Many Flags Have Flown over Biloxi

An area across Biloxi Bay from the city, called Old Biloxi, was first visited by French explorer Pierre LeMoyne d'Iberville in 1699. The explorer, who was looking for the mouth of the Mississippi River, was instructed by the King of France to claim the coastal region. D'Iberville sailed into Biloxi Bay with a small group of men and established Fort Maurepas and a similar colony on the east shore, now the site of Ocean Springs. The word Biloxi means "First People" and was the name of a local Native American tribe met by d'Iberville and his men when they explored the land. Since its discovery, eight flags have flown over the city including the French, English, Spanish, West Florida Republic, Mississippi Magnolia, Confederate State, Mississippi State, and that of the United States.

In 1719 Fort Louis was founded on the site of the present-day city, which served as the capital of French colonial Louisiana from 1720 to 1722. In 1783 Biloxi was taken over by the Spanish, who merely collected tariffs, while the area retained its strong French influence. The Spanish maintained their rule until 1810, when a rebellion occurred and the area was seized by American insurgents. At that time, Biloxi became part of the Republic of West Florida. Although petitions for statehood were denied, the Biloxi region became part of the Territory of Orleans (which had been part of the Louisiana Purchase). Two years later, in 1812, Biloxi became part of the Mississippi Territory. In 1814 a British attempt to capture New Orleans failed, but the British remained on nearby Ship Island until 1815. Finally, on December 10, 1817, Mississippi became the twentieth state of the United States.

Biloxi Established as a Resort

During the 1820s Biloxi became a popular summer resort for New Orleanians wishing to escape their city's heat and yellow fever epidemics. Biloxi was incorporated officially in 1838. The city grew as families and their servants flocked to the area, which by 1847 had become the most important of the Gulf Coast's resort towns. By the middle of the nineteenth century even more people came for the ostensible healing powers of the waters, and for the balls, outings, and hunting events that enlivened the social scene.

At the time of the Civil War, Union troops took over nearby Ship Island and carried out a blockade of the gulf. Citizens protected the city from invasion by the Yankees through the threatening appearance of fake cannons, which were really only logs planted in the sand. Mullet fish, called "Biloxi bacon," saved the local populace from starvation in the war years. The first fish cannery opened in 1881, and the city's seafood industry quickly developed. By 1900 Biloxi was termed the "seafood capital of the world." Polish, Austrian, and Acadian French soon came to the city to work in the industry, adding their own cultural influences. Tourism flourished and more hotels were built to accommodate the visitors, many of them from the Midwest, who came to escape the harsh northern winters.

During the early twentieth century, the city grew and new developments included electricity, a street railway system, and telephone service. During the 1920s a paved highway was built along the beach, and more hotels were constructed as tourism increased. In 1928 the world's longest seawall, which spanned 25 miles of Biloxi's coastline, was dedicated. The 1930s saw the decline of the area's seafood industry, but a new boom took place during World War II when Biloxi was chosen to be the site of a new air force base.

Legalized Gambling Revitalizes City

Mid-century saw the construction of a four-lane superhighway and the production of a sand beach, thanks to the use of hydraulic dredges. The development of Edgewater Plaza Shopping Center took place in the early 1960s, and the mall has served to draw people from all over the region ever since. In 1969 Biloxi suffered considerable damage when Hurricane Camille ravaged the entire Gulf Coast area, but the citizens soon rallied and rebuilt their town. A new era began in the city in 1992 with the opening of the first Las Vegas-style gambling casino. The resort casinos with their 24-hour entertainment availability spurred a tremendous growth in both local and tourist populations, and restaurants and other businesses grew accordingly.

Biloxi suffered some damage from Hurricane Georges in 1998 but rallied a year later to celebrate its tricentennial with music fests, sporting events, exhibits, and tours. The city's ninth casino, the Beau Rivage, opened in 1999, further stimulating Biloxi's economy through tourism and gaming revenues.

Historical Information: Harrison County Library System, 1300 21st Ave., Gulfport, MS 39501; telephone (228)868-1383; fax (228)863-7433

Biloxi: Education and Research

Elementary and Secondary Schools

The Biloxi Public School District reorganized its schools in 2002. Upon completion of the new Biloxi High School, the three junior high schools were consolidated. As a result, all seventh grade students attend Michel 7th Grade School and all students in grades eight and nine attend Biloxi Junior High School. The district offers a curriculum ranging from remedial education to college level advanced placement courses, as well as specialized programs in technology or vocational studies. There are four private schools in Biloxi: one high school and three elementary/junior high schools.

The following is a summary of data regarding Biloxi's public schools as of the 2002–2003 school year.

Total enrollment: 6,200

Number of facilities

elementary schools: 7

junior high/middle schools: 2

senior high schools: 1

Student/teacher ratio: 15:1

Teacher salaries (2004–2005)

minimum: $33,650

maximum: $62,965

Funding per pupil: $6,415

Public Schools Information: Biloxi Public School District; 160 St. Peters Ave., PO Box 168, Biloxi, MS 39533; telephone (228)374-1810; fax (228)436-5171

Colleges and Universities

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College has two campuses in Gulfport, and also offers classes in Biloxi through the Keesler Center of the Keesler Air Force Base. Also operating out of Keesler Air Force Base is the University of Southern Mississippi-Gulf Coast, which offers a variety of classes for civilians and military personnel. University College, one of 11 colleges of New Orleans-based Tulane University, has a campus in Biloxi that offers associate's and bachelor's degrees. Located in nearby Gulfport are William Carey College and Madison University, both within comfortable commuting range of students from Biloxi.

Libraries and Research Centers

The Biloxi Public Library, part of the Harrison County Library System, consists of a main building and three branches. Its collection exceeded 300,000 items in 2003, an increase of approximately 5,000 items over the prior year. Special collections include genealogy, local history, and Mississippiana. The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, located in Ocean Springs, is a state-funded institution administered by the University of Southern Mississippi. It offers a broad marine science curriculum and collaborates with the local commercial seafood industry to devise efficient methods of harvesting the waters and to develop future ventures, such as aquaculture.

Public Library Information: Harrison County Library System, 1300 21st Ave., Gulfport, MS 39501; telephone (228)868-1383; fax (228)863-7433

Biloxi: Population Profile

Metropolitan Area Residents

1980: 300,000

1990: 312,368

2000: 363,988

Percent change, 1990–2000: 16.5%

U.S. rank in 1980: 174th

U.S. rank in 1990: 157th

U.S. rank in 2000: 113th

City Residents

1980: 49,311

1990: 46,319

2000: 50,644

2003 estimate: 48,972

Percent change, 1990–2000: 9.3%

U.S. rank in 1980: 428th

U.S. rank in 1990: 535th (State rank: 2nd)

U.S. rank in 2000: 707th (State rank: 3rd)

Density: 1,331.8 people per square mile (2000)

Racial and ethnic characteristics (2000)

White: 36,177

Black or African American: 9,643

American Indian and Alaska Native: 248

Asian: 2,590

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander: 58

Hispanic or Latino (may be of any race): 1,848

Other: 725

Percent of residents born in state: 46.2% (2000)

Age characteristics (2000)

Poplation under 5 years old: 3,721

Poplation 5 to 9 years old: 3,634

Poplation 10 to 14 years old: 3,078

Poplation 15 to 19 years old: 4,290

Poplation 20 to 24 years old: 4,779

Poplation 25 to 34 years old: 7,645

Poplation 35 to 44 years old: 7,695

Poplation 45 to 54 years old: 5,822

Poplation 55 to 59 years old: 2,044

Poplation 60 to 64 years old: 1,861

Poplation 65 to 74 years old: 3,390

Poplation 75 to 84 years old: 2,076

Poplation 85 years and older: 609

Median age: 32.5 years

Births (2002)

Total number: 864

Deaths (2002)

Total number: 478 (of which, 6 were infants under the age of 1 year)

Money income (1999)

Per capita income: $17,809

Median household income: $34,106

Total number of households: 19,606

Number of households with income of . . .

less than $10,000: 2,348

$10,000 to $14,999: 1,368

$15,000 to $24,999: 3,137

$25,000 to $34,999: 3,196

$35,000 to $49,999: 3,616

$50,000 to $74,999: 3,321

$75,000 to $99,999: 1,473

$100,000 to $149,999: 730

$150,000 to $199,999: 177

$200,000 or more: 240

Percent of families below poverty level: 11.2% (50.7% of which were female householder families with related children under 5 years)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 3,852

Biloxi: Communications

Newspapers and Magazines

The Sun Herald, Biloxi's daily paper, is published every morning. Weeklies include the Biloxi-D'Iberville Press, Gulf Pines Catholic, and the Keesler News, which is produced at Keesler Air Force Base.

Television and Radio

Biloxi has one network affiliate, one cable station, and one public television station. Two FM stations—one commercial and one religious—and three AM stations broadcast from the city.

Media Information: The Sun Herald, Gulf Publishing Company, Inc., PO Box 4567, Biloxi, MS 39535-4567; telephone (800)222-9502.

Biloxi Online

Biloxi Chamber of Commerce. Available www.biloxi.org

Biloxi Public School District. Available www.biloxischools.net

City of Biloxi Home Page. Available www.biloxi.ms.us

Harrison County Development Commission. Available www.mscoast.org

Harrison County Library System. Available www.harrison.lib.ms.us

Mississippi Development Authority. Available www.mississippi.org

Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau. Available www.gulfcoast.org

Sun Herald. Available www.sunherald.com

Selected Bibliography

The Buildings of Biloxi: An Architectural Survey. (City of Biloxi, 1975)

Husley, Val, Maritime Biloxi (Mount Pleasant, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing, 2000)

Sullivan, Charles, Mississippi Gulf Coast: Portrait of a People (Northridge, CA: Windsor Publications, 1985)

Note: This profile of the city of Biloxi was updated prior to August 2005, when Hurricane Katrina caused severe damage to the Gulf Coast region of the United States. The long-term impact of Katrina on Biloxi is unknown at the time of publication.

Biloxi

The City in Brief

Note: This profile of the city of Biloxi was updated prior to August 2005, when Hurricane Katrina caused severe damage to the Gulf Coast region of the United States. The long-term impact of Katrina on Biloxi is unknown at the time of publication.

Founded: 1719, incorporated 1981

Head Official: Mayor A. J. Holloway, Jr. (R) (since 1993)

City Population

1990: 46,319

2000: 50,644

2003 estimate: 48,972

Percent change, 1990–2000: 9.3%

U.S. rank in 1990: 535th (State rank: 2nd)

U.S. rank in 2000: 707th (State rank: 3rd)

Metropolitan Area Population

1990: 312,368

2000: 363,988

Percent change, 1990–2000: 16.5%

U.S. rank in 1990: 157th

U.S. rank in 2000: 113th

Area: 46.53 square miles (2000)

Elevation: 20 feet above sea level

Average Annual Temperature: 68° F

Average Annual Precipitation: 61 inches

Major Economic Sectors: services, casinos, government, and trade

Unemployment rate: 4.0% (December 2004)

Per Capita Income: $17,809 (1999)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 3,852

Major Colleges and Universities: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, The University of Southern Mississippi-Gulf Coast

Daily Newspaper: Sun Herald

Biloxi: Health Care

Biloxi has two hospitals, while the entire Gulf Coast region has seven general hospitals with more than 2,450 beds. Services at the Biloxi Regional Medical Center, which has 153 beds, include a cardiac intensive care unit, an emergency department, an outpatient care center, HIV services, a medical surgical intensive care unit, a neonatal intensive care unit, oncology services, pediatric intensive care, physical rehabilitation, psychiatric care, and a radiation department. The Gulf Coast Medical Center, with 144 beds, offers a variety of services including outpatient care, geriatric services, a medical-surgical intensive care unit, outpatient surgery, and psychiatric care. The Veterans Affairs Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System consists of two hospital divisions—one of which is located in Biloxi—and three outpatient clinics to serve veterans in seven counties in Mississippi, four counties in Alabama, and seven counties in Florida. Keesler Medical Center, the second largest medical treatment facility in the Air Force, treats more than 52,000 active duty and retirees in the area and houses the only genetics laboratory in the U.S. Department of Defense. Cedar Lake Medical Park is privately owned by physicians and offers a variety of medical services.

Biloxi: Transportation

Approaching the City

More than 816,000 passengers moved through GulfportBiloxi International Airport in 2002. By 2006, upon completion of a $25.4 million expansion that will allow more airlines to operate at it, the airport is expected to serve 2.2 million passengers. The airlines serving the facility are AirTran Airways, ASA/Delta, Continental/Continental Express, and Northwest. For those who choose to approach the city by rail, Amtrak's Sunset Limited line provides service to Biloxi and Gulfport, among other cities along the Gulf Coast. Biloxi also has private and public marinas for those who choose to arrive by boat.

Traveling in the City

Seven interstate highways provide access to the Alabama-Mississippi-Louisiana region via Interstate 10, which runs east and west across the northern part of Biloxi. U.S. Highway 90 also runs east and west, but along the beaches of the Gulf. Interstate 110 extends north and south through the city, and Highways 67 and 15 run north toward central Mississippi. Local bus service is provided by the Coast Transit Authority.

Biloxi: Convention Facilities

The Mississippi Gulf Coast offers total convention space in excess of 500,000 square feet and more than 18,000 hotel rooms. The largest beachfront meeting and convention center in the South is the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center, which has 180,000 square feet of convention space, up to 32 meeting rooms, and a 15,000-seat arena. The majority of Biloxi's nine casinos also provide meeting space, the largest of which is the 54,000 square feet of the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino.

Convention Information: Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, PO Box 6128, Gulfport, MS 39506-6128; telephone (228)896-6699; toll-free 800-237-9493; email tourism@gulfcoast.org

Biloxi: Introduction

Biloxi, with its 25 miles of white Gulf Coast beaches, is one of the oldest cities in the United States. Historically a sleepy resort town, originally serving vacationers from Mobile and New Orleans, it is noted for its oyster and shrimp fisheries. The introduction of legalized gambling at offshore casinos has led to the city's renaissance and a booming economy. Biloxi's rich history and cultural attractions have also contributed to its becoming one of the new "hot spots" for Southern tourism.

Biloxi: Municipal Government

Biloxi has a strong Mayor-Council form of government, with council members elected by each of seven local districts. The mayor and council members serve four-year terms.

Head Official: Mayor A.J. Holloway, Jr. (R) (since 1993; current term expires 2005)

Total Number of City Employees: 674 (2005)

City Information: City of Biloxi, PO Box 429, Biloxi, MS 39533; telephone (228)435-6254; fax (228)435-6129; email mayor@biloxi.ms.us

Biloxi, Mississippi/USA Fort Louis The name is of Choctaw origin and has been translated as either ‘worthless’ or ‘terrapin’. However, the city, founded in 1719, might be named after the Biloxi, a local tribe whose name is said to mean ‘broken pot’.