3 City Adventures & History

Ocean Springs is known as the "City of Discovery".  The name Ocean Springs was coined by Dr. Austin in 1854.  He believed the local springs had healing properties.

A local industry long forgotten is that of the range animals.  Cattle and sheep once roamed the savannas and forests of Jackson County foraging on the native grasses.  The folk living north of Ocean Springs were mainly farmers raising corn and hay to feed their cattle and hogs.  They had gardens and supplemented their income through lumber and the wool from sheep.  The wealth of the country folk was determined by their peers from the number of sheep they possessed.  It was common for a farmer to own 1000 sheep.  The free range was open to all with each farm branding their sheep to be able to tell them apart. 

The wool produced by the Merino sheep in Mississippi was classified as "Lake" wool and the very best bringing the highest dollar.  Other uses for the sheep was mutton for food, the hide for bedding, and carded wool used as batting for quilts.  Ocean Springs became the nearest railhead for the buying and shipping of raw wool from the ranchers.  The first Biloxi Bay wooden bridge was built in 1901 replacing the intermittent ferry system.  This connected Ocean Springs to the wool country.  Decline or raising sheep came with a stock law to prevent all livestock from running at large.  Today the sheep industry has declined due to low value.  Land values soared.  The moral - raise land not sheep.



The Louisville & Nashville Railroad connected its Coast train and excursion train services from New Orleans to Ocean Springs in 1880.  Today the CSX runs these tracks with their whistle blowing day and night as they pass thru town.  The old train depot now houses the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce plus a couple other businesses.  Here we were given two wooden $5 coins called "Pelican Pound" to be used at participating stores.

 

Ocean Springs was severely damaged in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina, destroying many buildings and homes along the shoreline and gutted or flooded others.  The Davis Bayou campground Visitor's Center was standing in 5 feet of water.  It had to be totally refurbished.  Katrins'a 25 foot storm surge destroyed the Biloxi Bay Bridge and railroad bridge which connected Ocean Springs to Biloxi.  The construction of the new highrise bridge was completed in 2008.  The new bridge is 95 feet high at its main span and supports 6 lanes of traffic.  There is a 3.19 mile walk over the bridge wide enough for 4 people across.  There are 3 overlooks with benches as there is a climb to the walk; but, attainable.  This new bridge design was built to withstand hurricane force winds and waves similar to those of Katrina.  Loss of this bridge created a major handicap for folk in the area.  What use to take a minute then took 30 minutes to detour.

Upon crossing the Biloxi Bay Bridge, one is greeted by one casino after another with their smoke filled game rooms.  We ventured into Margaritaville for a ??? lunch buffet.  Jimmy Buffet plans to expand with a new hotel next door to be completed by 2015.

The green Casino Hopper trolley bus was running hard taking folk here and there.

 We passed St. Michael's Catholic Church known as the "Church of the Fisherman".  Established in 1907, this cylindrical church with its scalloped shell roof still stands as a symbol of strength for all the hard working nationalities which make up this spiritual community.  Hit by two powerful hurricanes...Camille in 1969 and Katrina in 2005...St. Michael's has stood 200 mph winds and a 28 foot tidal surge.  The interior designer focused attention to the main altar...2 1/2 tons quarried in the Holy Land.  A bronze crucifix hangs above as if suspended in mid-air. 

The stained glass windows depict figures of the twelve apostles gathering in their catch. 
St. Michael's also sponsors the Blessing of the Fleet.  This annual event begins Biloxi's shrimping season in late May.  Shrimp boats parade past the blessing boat to receive a symbolic touch of holy water in hope for a safe journey and a bountiful catch.

Gulfport, MS, incorporated in 1898 is located in Harrison County and is the 2nd largest city.  This city was founded by William Hardy...President of the gulf and Ship Island Railroad that connected inland lumber mills to the coast and Joseph Jones who later took over the railroad, dredged the harbor, and opened a shipping channel to the sea.  This harbor was completed in 1902 bringing in millions of dollars for the state of Mississippi.  Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was the last major hurricane and the worst to hit this gulf city.  Much of the city was flooded or destroyed in one day.  The hurricane force winds lasted over 16 hours with a storm surge of 28 feet in some areas.  Evidence of Katrina remains today as re-construction continues.  Several coastal mansions were destroyed leaving behind empty lots with brick and stone rubble.
This light tower was on a point where fishermen congregated for a fun day of fishing and socializing.



Today began with drizzly rain that led to flashy lightning and rumbling thunder by mid morning.  The slow pecks of rain on our trailer roof makes one want to curl up with a good book.  Excitement today as we have found a new campground nearby with FREE camping for 2 days/3 nights.  We will be "On the Road Again" come Sunday, Jan. 19th for TLC Wolf River Resort a short distance off I-10/EXIT 24 across the Wolf River near Pass-Christain, MS.  Until next time...

See you by the campfire.