Alphabet File page 305

  This willingness to heed and build is to be commended and evidences the spirit of the L. & N. Company. Incidentally, it might be said the Bay St.  Louis Chamber of Commerce, not a year organized, is a potent factor in our midst and exerts a wide and constructive influence for the public good and its future in this field is promising. President Weston is most active. His expansive and productive policies are well known and surrounded with active workers he is urging and waging unrelentingly a most comprehensive program and constructive policy for all that will rebound to the city and subsequently to the county, leaving no stone unturned and sparing no effort.

  We anticipate the early building of the new Louisville & Nashville R. R. depot at Bay St. Louis, surrounded with appropriate and permanent landscape treatment.  (SCE 9/18/1926)

 

1928

 

  L. & N. Offices moved to Masonic Temple, 2nd Floor, Auditing Department removed from St. Stanislaus College Gym.  The auditing department of the Louisville and Nashville railroad of the New Orleans-Mobile division which has been located in the gym at St. Stanislaus College since the station burned last year, moved Monday of this week to the second floor of the Masonic Temple on Main Street, the 17 employees of this department finding pleasant quarters in the new location until such time as the L. & N. station shall be completed.

  The railroad officials expressed to the college their sincere thanks for having been permitted to occupy the gym during the past months.  The move was made because the college is in need of the gym for indoor sports and general assemblies.  (SCE 11/2/1928)

 

1929 - February

 

  L. & N. Depot Will Be Completed By Middle Of March All Outside Structural Work Finished and Stucco Work Begun On Depot.

 

  The handsome new stucco Louisville and Nashville depot and office building now under construction at Bay St.  Louis station is rapidly nearing completion and will probably be finished by the middle of March and ready for use according to the foreman on the job for which A. Favret had the general contract.

 

  The entire structural part of the building is finished, the steel work being done, all hollow tile work will be finished Tuesday of this week, the work of putting on the stucco finish roof is on the building and the shed to complete the stucco work.  The roof is on the building and the shed to the building to the track is finished.  All cast stone work has been set over the windows and entrance.

 

  The inside work will be started next week, it was said.

 

  This building which replaces a former wooden structure which was destroyed by fire last year, was begun in October and the contractors have pushed it to completion.  The building is one of the finest in appearance to be found in this part of the country and will be a decided addition to Bay St. Louis.  Set as it is in a beautiful park the depot receives added dignity from its good location.  (SCE 2/8/1929)

 

1929 - April

 

  New Depot To Have Opening.  Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club Invite Everyone To Attend Celebration Saturday Night

 

  The new Louisville and Nashville Railroad station, recently completed, will be officially "opened" Saturday night, when the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club will hold open house there from 7 to 10 o'clock, to which everyone in the city and community is invited.

 

This welcome from the townspeople in compliment to the new station is to be given in appreciation of this handsome edifice which is an honor to the city.

 

Committees have been working on this project for several weeks and tentative dates were set but were postponed because the furnishings had not all arrived.

 

A number of L. & N. officials are expected to be in attendance at the observance.

 

  The program calls for music during the evening, to be furnished by a local band, and dancing on the floor of the waiting rooms which are suitable for this amusement.  During the evening, probably about 8:30 o'clock, there will be addresses, from local citizens, whose names have not been announced by the committees, and responses from railroad officials.

 

Refreshments will be served all throughout the evening, with Mrs. E. J. Leonard in charge.  She will be assisted by a number of the local ladies.

 

  The committee from the Rotary Club  planning this observance includes; H. S. Weston, Dr. C. M. Shipp and Chas.  G. Moreau.  The committee from the Chamber of Commerce includes; Mayor Chas. Traub, Sr., George R. Rea, Chas. G.  Moreau, Leo Seal and C. C. Mc Donald. (SCE 4/19/1929)

 

1929- May

 

  L. & N. Magazine Gives Bay St. Louis Station Opening Fine Write-up

 

L. & N. For Bay St. Louis and Bay St. Louis for L. & N.- John A. Green Signally and Deservedly Honored-­Outstanding Event

 

  Of the many outstanding features appearing in the current number of the L. & N. Magazine, published monthly at Louisville, Ky., none is more outstanding and of more interest than the illustrated story telling of the formal opening of the Bay St. Louis depot.

 

Through the courtesy of the Magazine, we are able to reproduce the article and illustrations, and value the consideration unfailingly given Bay St. Louis by the "Old Reliable" L. & N.  The story follows:

 

  Saturday evening, April 20, marked  a gala occasion for Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and the L. & N. Railroad.  The new two story stucco depot erected for the L.  & N. by Lionel Favret, general contractor of New Orleans, was formally opened.

 

  The people of Bay St. Louis had watched the progress of the work order.  Mr. McDonald, acting as chairman, praised the magnificent edifice which the L. & N. had built for the people of Bay St. Louis to use and enjoy. He then introduced Mississippi's silver-tongued orator, Senator Carl Marshall for many years superintendent of the N.  O. & M.  Division--who had been selected to express the appreciation of the people of Bay St. Louis to the L. & N. Railroad Company.

 

  Senator Marshall held his audience spell-bound and quoting the great James J. Hill stated that next to religion, railroads had done more than anything else toward the promotion and advancement of civilization and that the L. & N. in like manner had contributed to the advancement of the Mississippi Coast.  He praised the transportation industry as a whole and the L. & N. in particular for its excellent service rendered to the people of Bay St. Louis, laying great stress on the fact that not a single passenger had ever been killed in a train wreck on the N. O. & M. Division.  In finishing, Mr. Marshall in beautiful language thanked the L.  & N. Railroad Company and Colonel Morton for the new and magnificent station building and grounds.

 

  Chairman McDonald in his delightful manner next introduced our genial superintendent, Colonel L. L. Morton, who held his own with the eloquent speakers of the evening Colonel Morton stated that the building and improvements had cost the L. & N. around $70,000.00 but that he had confidence in the people of Bay St. Louis, and felt that they would respond with all of their business.  He praised the work of Lionel Favret who was present and said the L. & N.  was proud to build a fine depot in Bay St.  Louis, Mississippi.  The applause accorded Colonel Morton showed well the appreciation of the crowd and residents and the growing friendly feeling toward the L. & N.  Railroad.

 

  Next on the program Chairman McDonald introduced Emile J.Gex, local attorney for the L. & N. at Bay St. Louis, who in a touching speech lauded the fifty-four years of service and faithfulness of Agent John A. Green speaking highly of Mr. Green as a citizen of Bay St. Louis and a fair and just representative of the L. & N. Railroad Company.  He then presented Mr. Green with a large and handsome loving cup engraved with his name and in appreciation of his long service.  The gift of his many friends in Bay St. Louis.  Mr. Green in his cordial manner thanked Mr. Gex and his audience stating that he felt everyone present was a member of his family.