Vignettes
Commuter Trains along the Mississippi Gulf Coast
After the War Between the States, the railway system in the United States blossomed. Connecting the eastern and western coasts was a project begun by President Abraham Lincoln, and even though he didn’t live to see his dream brought to complete fruition, his forward thinking helped the nation industrialize and grow after its great conflict. … (read more)
A Brief History of the Bay-Waveland Garden Club
According to the history of the Bay-Waveland Garden Club, the idea for the club emerged in the de Montluzin Drugstore during discussions of how the towns of Bay Saint Louis and Waveland could beautify and promote private and commercial gardens to attract people to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Rotary Club was a “men only”… (read more)
Fostoria traveling salesroom
Vic E. Lizana was the representative for the Fostoria Glass Company of Moundsvile, West Virginia, makers of fine crystal ware. Fostoria's traveling salesroom stopped in Bay St. Louis in 1932. The custom-built vehicle was built by the Curtis Aero Company of America. It contained a long display table on one side of the highly finished… (read more)
Mystery of the Honey Island Swamp-Rat Killings
Mystery, intrigue, and legend have enshrouded one area of the lowest part of the Pearl River basin for centuries—Honey Island Swamp. Located between the East and West Pearl Rivers, it has engendered tales of pirates, ne'er-do-wells, robbers, murderers, and other unsavory characters. While respectable, honest people have lived there through the years, it has also… (read more)
The Influenza Epidemic of 1918
The influenza pandemic of 1918 killed an estimated fifty million people worldwide. In fact, one-fifth of the world’s population was affected, and this disease killed more people than any other illness in recorded history. Erroneously referred to as “Spanish” flu because Spanish newspapers initially reported its pervasiveness, it was not confined to this one country. … (read more)
Bay St. Louis Bridge
Did you know that the first bridge across Hancock County’s Bay of St. Louis was not built until 1926? While Robert L. Genin had procured a franchise for a privately built bridge across the Bay of St. Louis as early as 1912, it took the efforts of Horatio S. Weston, president of the Hancock County… (read more)
The Formation of the City of Diamondhead
The community of Diamondhead became the City of Diamondhead in 2012. There was a great deal of fanfare when the Secretary of State presented the newly issued city charter to the mayor and city council. As the city council started taking its first halting steps at creating the city, you couldn't help thinking about how… (read more)
The Hancock Bank Building
One of the most photographed spots in Bay St. Louis following Hurricane Katrina was where Main Street meets Beach Boulevard. Although the spot is one of the highest points on the entire Gulf coast, the hurricane did its best to ravage this historical intersection. Storm stricken residents, however, both present and dislocated, took some comfort… (read more)
Notes on the Yellow Fever Epidemic
From “The New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal” July 1851 by A.P. Merrill Notes taken by Emma Clay of Medical Officer with 8th U.S. Infantry who was not named. An epidemic occurred not named but believed to be Yellow Fever. At the time of the appearance of this epidemic I held a commission in the… (read more)
The Bicycle Craze in Hancock County
After its invention in Germany in the early 1800’s, the bicycle went through several modifications and updates to enter the “Golden Age of Bicycles” in the 1890’s. Between 1890 and 1895 the bicycle craze came to Hancock County. Even though the fad came to the county, no one in the area owned a bicycle. To… (read more)