The Civil Rights Wade-In historical sign is an important part of the history of Biloxi, Mississippi…read moreand honestly, was not that long ago in realistic terms. The sign also discusses the importance of the wade-ins in the birth of the Biloxi, Mississippi and the birth of the local NAACP.

Located in the parking lot for the Biloxi Lighthouse Pier, this marker recalls an important battle…read morein the fight for Civil Rights. The marker is accessible and in good condition. It reads, "Civil Rights Wade-Ins. On May 14, 1959, April 24, 1960, and June 23, 1963, the Biloxi beach front was the site of planned civil rights wade-ins demanding equal access to the public beach. On April 24, 1960, several citizens, both black and white, were injured and arrested, including the leader of the wade-ins, physician Dr. Gilbert R. Mason Sr. This series of protests gave birth to the Biloxi branch of the NAACP, major voter registration drives in 1960, and a 1968 falderal court ruling opening the beach to all citizens." Before the beaches were desegregated, adjacent homeowners claimed the beaches as private property. However, Mason and his supporters noted that the beaches had been built in a major project completed in 1953 by the Army Corps of Engineers using taxpayer funds, and so thought they should be public and available to all. The new beaches had increased tourist traffic to the Biloxi area, strengthening the local economy. The effort by local authorities to maintain segregation was supported by actions of the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission, a state agency founded in 1956. It used its extensive investigative powers to spy on citizens and plan economic retaliation against those who were civil rights activists or suspected of being so. On the date mentioned on the plaque, the police stood by and watched as white mobs attacked black beachgoers. It is referred to as "The Bloody Wade-In" and was described by the New York Times as "The worst racial riot in Mississippi history." The marker was placed here in April 2010, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the protests. [Review 14121 overall, 1443 of 2020, number 28 in Mississippi.]

Had been a few years since we last visited the memorial. Noticed several of the trees were gone now…read more, and the display with all the washed up items from katrina was gona as well. Seems to be more missing, but cant recall. So sad , and cant believe its been 20 years. If your traveling through biloxi , i highly recommend stopping by the monument and paying respects the souls loat and said their are still 3 ppl listed as missing even after 20 years.RIP.....

I think most people have no idea how destructive this storm really was. Causing over 1800 deaths…read moreand $125 billion in damage, it was at the time the costliest tropical cyclone on record. The storm was the twelfth tropical cyclone, the fifth hurricane, and the third major hurricane of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, as well as the fourth-most intense Atlantic hurricane on record to make landfall in the contiguous United States. Battered by wind, rain and storm surge, some beachfront neighborhoods were completely leveled. Preliminary estimates by Mississippi officials calculated that 90% of the structures within half a mile of the coastline were completely destroyed. The pictures of the coastal casinos - block long buildings! - were picked up and basically launched at the coastline, destroying many 18th century homes and ancient trees. The Bay St. Louis-Pass Christian and the Biloxi-Ocean Springs bridge were entirely destroyed. Katrina's surge was the most extensive, as well as the highest, in the documented history of the United States. That is documented here with a post showing the maximum height of the surge. The Memorial stands 12 feet tall, about the height of the water during Hurricane Katrina's storm surge at the Town Green. It lists the names of the 170 victims that perished during the storm. [Review 14185 overall, 1507 of 2020, number 75 in Mississippi.]

What a cute museum! In the original train depot built in the early 1900s, the original flooring,…read morewalls and ceiling through most of the building. The gentleman working was well informed of the history of the area. This is on the small side, but packed with information, displays and exhibits. There are items for sale. I am sure that if I had more time, I would have gotten plenty of information on other things to do in the area as the guy working was very knowledgeable about the area.

I always like to find places that are off the beaten path to visit, and this marks all of my boxes…read more Facing the Gulf, this home is delightful. The tour guide was very informative about the history and the details. The house is not open any set hours, you have to reach out to schedule a tour. Follow their social media accounts in order to find out when they have an open house event. Or to schedule a tour, email heritage@dmr.ms.gov or call 228-234-7298. I would highly recommend to anyone in the area. Admission is free.

Located in Jones Park, this historical marker points out an important part of Civil War history…read more It reads, "The Louisiana Native Guards, composed largely of former slaves and free men of color from Louisiana, were organized by Union Major General Benjamin Butler in 1862. On April 9, 1863, 180 men from companies B and G of the 2nd regiment, landed at Pascagoula and held the city for several hours against more than 300 Confederate troops. At 2 p.m., the Federals withdrew, returning to Ship Island, This raid is the first involving African American troops in the Gulf Region." After New Orleans fell to Admiral David Farragut in April 1862, Union Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler headquartered his 12,000-man Army of the Gulf in New Orleans. On September 27, 1862, Butler organized the Union Army's 1st Louisiana Native Guard regiment, some of whose members had served in the previous Confederate Native Guard regiment. Free men of color had served with the militia since the French colonial period. But the regiment's initial strength was 1,000 men, and it was composed mostly of African-American former slaves who had escaped to freedom. [Review 14193 overall, 1515 of 2020, number 83 in Mississippi.]

People! Get on over to here! Great food, great entertainment, Super Sunsets and Sun Rises,…read moremagnificent dining establishments and plenty of places to get rich in casinos! While the massive devastation is still quite evident from Hurricane Katrina, it is is slowly coming back and there are lots of opportunities for a great vacation in this community! There are many things to see and do for the adventurer both inside Biloxi and in the neighboring area. Lots of small quick sites and sights! The food is good in so many locations. The Casino resorts can take care of more of your time. There are nearby excursions, museums, and let's don't forget the fishing opportunities! You can even take in a Professional Baseball game of the Biloxi Shuckers! The beach is pretty nice and don't expect a North Shore Hawaii surfing experience or snorkeling over a reef like Maui, but there is a lot of fun for the family! It is a gentle beach and makes for a very relaxing time! This is a place that you can have a very relaxing experience, fill your belly and perhaps even your pockets!

Five nights in Biloxi thanks to a Hilton Hotels deal - use points for four nights and get the fifth…read morenight free. I had no idea what I would do in Biloxi from Sunday until Friday. It's mostly a casino and beaches town. I'm not a gambler and I'm not a sun worshipper. As it happened, I found plenty! Great food, from sushi to pho to fried catfish to barbecue. A few museums including the Jefferson Davis Presidential Library, the Walter Anderson Museum of Art and the Ohr-O'keefe Museum of Art. Several local beers. Lots of shopping. Somewhere in there, I drove over to New Orleans for a day. I walked across the Biloxi Bay bridge early in the morning before it got too hot. And we toured the Biloxi Visitor's Center and Lighthouse Pier. Yes, there's plenty to do here. Friendly people and once you learn the lay of the land, it all clicks together. It helped to understand that back in 2014 or so, they numbered the traffic lights on US 90 from "one" on the Louisiana border and then increasing one by one until the Alabama border. You're at "Shrimp number 31"? That's the Edgewater Mall intersection. Easy parking during mid-October. Friendly folks. Not at all crowded. [Review 14189 overall, 1511 of 2020, number 79 in Mississippi.]

This historical marker is located under a shade tree in the parking area of the westbound I-10 rest…read morearea. It is green and points out some of the earliest settlement history of the area. The marker reads, "Graveline. In 1718 this area was settled by Jean-Baptist Baudreau dit Graveline, born 1671 in Montreal. Arrived with D'Iberville at Fort Maurepas aboard the Renommée, January 8, 1700. Prominent colonist - adventurer - merchant." Online, there is more information. Gravelone was at Fort Saint Louis in Old Mobile, north of where the present city is located. He became one of the wealthiest men in the colonyby trading in furs, ships and later cattle and agricultural goods. A couple of times, he would buy a ship and load it with goods that were sent to Vera Cruz, the West Indes or even to France for trading. Graveline also traded frequently with the American Indian tribes in the area. From his children, many of the families of the Gulf Coast are descended. [Review 17349 overall - 93 in Mississippi - 867 of 2022.]

A great coastal area to visit and to live for that matter. Hwy 90 rides along the gulf coast…read moreliterally giving you a clear view out into the Gulf of Mexico. A few casinos line both the cities of Biloxi and Gulfport, literally city neighbors. Loads of souvenir shops and eateries as far as the eye can see. I've literally never tasted any better fresh shrimp or oysters than from the Gulf coast (these two cities primarily). So if you're a seafood lover, you'll be in seafood heaven here. I encourage all to visit these gems at some point, you won't be disappointed.