Travel Guide Biloxi

Biloxi, a tourist town on the south coast of Mississippi, in the Gulf of Mexico, is characterized by its long white sandy beaches, the softness of its waters and its numerous casinos (9 are present in the region).Many coastal and border cities are often associated with it, such as Gulfport (yet larger), Long Beach, Pass Christian and Bay Saint-Louis, all in the direction of Louisiana. The nearest, geographically and historically, Ocean Springs is located on the east side of the bridge over the bay. This is actually the old Biloxi (Old Biloxi).Hard hit by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the city gradually recovered from its wounds. However, its inhabitants remain very sensitive to the evocation of this disaster, which was much less publicized for this region than for New Orleans.The number of inhabitants for Biloxi stands at 44 500, compared with 70 000 for Gulfport and 17 400 for Ocean Springs. The city derives its economy from casinos, legalised since the 1990 s, from fishing and tourism. Its airport is the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. A large military air base, the Keesler Air Force Base, is located nearby.One of the main things to see is the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art; Beauvoir, who was the residence of the president of the Confederate Jefferson Davis states; and Fort Massachusset, located on a offshore island (West Ship Island), accessible by ferry from Gulfport.In addition to its beautiful Visitors center and museum and the lighthouse, the town centre of Biloxi has a few historic buildings that deserve to be seen during a walk on foot. At the centre of the small green space (The Biloxi Town Green) is Katrina Memorial.By passing on the edges of the sea, we can observe about trees which, after being uprooted by Katrina, were carved and arranged along the coast. One hour cruise is regularly organized from the harbour to know about the shrimp fishery, particularly famous here. Besides casinos, they do not offer major attractions like Las Vegas, but shows and shows are available every evening. The Beau Rivage and the Hard Rock Casino are the largest of them and the completely renovated Golden Nugget.Among the personalities who marked the city, Jefferson Davis (1808-1889) who spent part of his life after the war of Secession, and the rodeo champion and country singer Chris LeDoux (1948-2005), who was born there.As in most coastal cities, the most important party is Tuesday Gras in February. Several golf courses are also organised in the year, on nearly 20 greens around the city.HistoryOn February 10, 1699, Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville (1661-1706), responsible for locating the mouth of the Mississippi River on behalf of the King of France, landed in the bay. After several weeks of exploration, he founded Fort Maurepas in what is today Ocean Springs (Old Biloxi). The city is named after the Amerindian Biloxi («first men») who lived in the region during colonization.In 1720, the capital of French Louisiana was transferred from Mobile to Biloxi, then three years later, in New Orleans, less prone to tides and hurricanes. The Biloxi position then serves to report the arrival of the vessels.In 1763, by the Treaty of Paris, the Louisiana part to the east of the Mississippi River is ceded to Britain, except New Orleans, already ceded to Spain the previous year with western Louisiana by the Treaty of Fontainebleau.In 1811, Biloxi passed under the control of the Union as part of the Mississippi Territory. Mississippi Territory was admitted into the Union in 1817. Biloxi begins to grow by becoming an easily accessible resort, especially from New Orleans.In 1848, the lighthouse was built and became the symbol of the city. Many hotels are soon ready to accommodate an increasing number of visitors.During the Civil War, Biloxi was quickly taken with Ship Island by Union forces and did not know any great damage. In the years following the war, the city continues its growth.In 1881 the first cannery was built, and then others also. The industry attracts workers and fishermen from different nationalities (Spanish, French, Austrian, German, Irish, Lebanese…). There will be more than 40 canning at the beginning of the th century.1908. First Tuesday Gras parade in Biloxi.1929. First blessing ceremony of the shrimp fishing fleet During the Second World War, a training air base moved to the west of the city. Named Keesler Field, she today became the Keesler Air Force Base.On 17 August 1969, Hurricane Camille ravaging Biloxi (like others in 1722, 1893, 1915 and 1947). Traces on the economy will be visible for more than 20 years.In 1992, the State legalizes the game. Many casinos settled in Biloxi.On 29 August 2005 Hurricane Katrina destroyed the city. Many families leave the region and everything is to be rebuilt on the devastated coast.The City TodayAfter Katrina, many casinos were born or rebuilt, like most of the houses you'll see here (Beauvoir, the residence of Jefferson Davis, is one of the only ones to have escaped in part from the disaster). The Ohr-O'Keefe Museeum of Art, which was in the completion phase in 2005 but had been crushed by a barge over 200 metres in length, was also completely rebuilt in 2010-2013. Since 2014, two other museums have expanded the cultural space of Biloxi: Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum (also destroyed in 2005 by Katrina and rebuilt in 2014 with an appendix, the Wade Guice Hurricane Museum) and Tuesday Gras Museum.