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created in 1812 — five years before Mississippi was admitted to the Union. Only 8 counties had been previously organized. The present counties of Harrison, Pearl River and Stone were all once a part of Hancock County. The county is now about one-fourth of its original acreage — present size being approximately 485 square miles.
The driver has started his engine now and headed toward
Highway 90. He will turn right and travel along the starting part of that vast 27 miles long stretch of man-made beach
The view is magnificent. In the distance you can see Marianne Light — a sort of land mark that calls to mind the early beginning of our history. As you know, La Salle once explored this coast. In 1862 he set foot on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico — and has never been heard from since.
Later — in 1699 d'Iberville came to the Gulfcoast to place the flag of Prance on claimed territory.
Our bus is now approaching the Bay Bridge. This bridge is a k lane - well lighted — 2 miles long concrete structure
which
Point all the way to Biloxi.