A Day in Biloxi Life of Yesteryear

Article originally written by Jane Shambra, a local Biloxi writer, for BNews Monthly, the monthly newsletter of the City of Biloxi. All images courtesy of the Local History and Genealogy Department / Biloxi Public Library / Harrison County Library System.

History has shown us that things evolve, especially when it comes to the way we do things. Rather it be because of natural disasters or economic changes, life back in the day was and looked different. The school year began after Labor Day, beach access was provided by concrete steps and spare time was often centered around places to visit for entertainment, many of which are either no longer here, or have been changed in appearance. Here is a sampling of yesteryear. 

High School Daze

Found memories and stories are often centered around fun times that were had in school. Decades ago, schools in Biloxi began in September, just after Labor Day.

One of the most photographed Biloxi schools was that of the old Biloxi Central High School, once situated on the northeast corner of Howard Avenue and Bellman Street. Construction began in 1912 and was open to students for the 1913- 14 term. This old high school was devastated by Hurricane Katrina, but a new library and civic center now rest in its place.

Biloxi’s first Catholic High School, once known before Hurricane Katrina as the Dantzler House, was situated where the Biloxi Visitors Center is today. It was operated by the religious Brothers of the Holy Cross. The first graduating class in May 1944 lauded Russell A. Quave as the valedictorian.

Nichols High School served Biloxi’s African- American community and was named in honor of Principal Marshall Franklin Nichols, Sr. who was the institution’s leader until his death in 1945; at which time he was succeeded by his wife Mrs. Fannie Nichols.

Mrs. Nichols insisted on quality education. The old address for the school was once listed as 950 Bellman St., just north of Ray Street. Later this portion of Bellman Street was renamed Nichols Drive.

Schools then and now not only provided education and preparation for adult life, but they also hosted countless sporting events, sock hops, plays, concerts, and graduation exercises. Many students even paired up with their “first loves” during their high school days, and even chose to conduct the “I Do” ceremonies with their high school sweethearts. 

Arena of Fun

Built in the 1970’s, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center is situated on a large parcel of land on Hwy. 90 just west of Beauvoir Road. Back in the late 1800’s, Dr. Alfred Clay operated a WAIF home there, an orphanage for all-age children from far and near.

Through the decades, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center has housed countless entertainment events including concerts, fairs, car shows, sports events, graduations, and has even provided unique ice-skating opportunities for the public for a minimal fee.

Elvis Presley was originally scheduled to be the star at the dedication of the Coliseum’s November 1977 grand opening ceremony, but his untimely death on August 16, 1977 halted the planned agenda. Instead, Charley Pride, award-winning country music star and Mississippi native, hosted the dedication to a crowd of more than 11,000, one of the largest attended events during that time. 

Steps to the Sea

In the 1920’s, the seawall was constructed throughout Biloxi along the fringe of our present busy Hwy 90. This sturdy reinforced concrete edifice offered opportunities for crabbing, viewing sunsets, and lots of romantic interludes.

Hobart D. Shaw was the design and supervising engineer for the Harrison County project. It was completed in 1928 at an estimated cost of $3,400,000 and was funded by a gasoline tax. Its dedication
was May 10, 1928 and featured movie star Johnny Weissmuller, who play Tarzan and was also an Olympic swimmer.

In fact, these concrete stairs are still along the beach but have been covered up by sand.

Frocking in the Waves

Biloxi’s many waterways and hotel pools offered countless opportunities for swimming. Whether it was for competition, family outings, vacations, or simply for fun, our shoreline prompted those of all age groups, all walks of life, and even those from afar to cool off on hot days.

Sand beaches and elevated piers provided ample opportunity to access the warm waters of the Mississippi Sound. It is interesting to note the variety of bathing attire throughout the decades.

Hole in One

Biloxi has hosted many golfing tournaments through the years. Not only have locals appreciated this leisurely activity, but visitors have traveled to Biloxi just to partake in our amazing choices of venues for this sport.

Popular courses in the past included the Edgewater Gulf, Broadwater (known as the Sun Course), Par Three on Popp’s Ferry Road, Sunkist Country Club, and the Biloxi Golf Club (located on Keesler’s Naval reserve park grounds) which was later conveyed to Keesler Air Force Base and utilized as the Officers Club.

Golfing wasn’t always limited to adults. For years, families could visit the Biloxi Amusement Park on Beach Boulevard where the game of Magic Golf was offered for all ages. It was located between Travia Street and Veterans Avenue where the iconic green T-Rex dinosaur once stood tall. This exact location was reported to be utilized for scenes of the Fall 1990 filming of Denzel Washington’s “Mississippi Masala” (1991) movie. 

Church of the Redeemer

Even though the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer was destroyed by the wrath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, its memories of the past live on. Churches are not only places for prayer, but they also serve as gathering places to hold celebrations such as weddings.

This church was originally built on the corner of Howard and Nixon streets but was moved in 1891 to its last location at Bellman and Hwy. 90. On Aug. 17, 1969, the infamous Hurricane Camille destroyed the original structure and a new one was built. You may remember the bell tower that was left and stood on the property for many years. Sadly, Hurricane Katrina destroyed the structures.

That Hwy. 90 parcel is remembered for several other pastimes, as well. Beginning in the 1970’s, an annual blessing of animals
was held on the church lawn, a tradition that continued through the years. In the 1990’s, families and school field trips would go “pumpkin hunting” there to shop for the perfect jack-o-lanterns and/or pies for the fall season.

Today, we can still visit the Hurricane Camille memorial at that location, which commemorates 131 victims lost during that tragedy.

Keesler Field

Keesler Air Force Base wasn’t always as we know it today. In the 1800’s, it was a mere forest and originally allocated as a “Naval Reserve Park,” to remain timberland for wood in the event the government needed to construct wooden boats for wartime efforts.

Then in the early 1940s, that same section of Biloxi’s peninsula had a municipal airport, a golf course, a ballpark, and even a zoo! Old maps in the Local History Library label this property as “The Naval Reserve Park - the Army Air Corps Station No. 8.”

You may have heard Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich talk about the tents along the property. Well, Keesler’s first troops were housed in 650 tents, while its permanent structures were being constructed.

This year, Keesler Air Force Base is celebrating its 70th birthday in Biloxi. Its rich history includes training, community service, and home of the famous Hurricane Hunters.

Shopping Indoors

In 1963, Biloxi’s enclosed shopping mall opened up along Hwy. 90 with its first tenants to include Godchaux’s, Gayfers and J.J. Newberry. Over the years, the center has seen expansions, demolition and more expansions.

Sears opened in 1972, J.J. Newberry closed in 1979 and became JCPenny. By 1991, the Edgewater Mall included an interesting assortment of retail outlets, including restaurants, shoe and clothing stores, a movie theater, a pet store, an arcade and even a kite store.

The Wind Ventures Kite Shop sold fancy, colorful kites. In those days, beachgoers and travelers along Hwy. 90 were always amazed at the parade of “ginormous” kites soaring above the beach just south of the mall.

Biloxi’s pastimes of today have evolved into even greater choices for fun, including Friday fireworks, professional Shuckers baseball games, state of the art outdoor go-kart racing cars, fancy high-tech video arcades, and even axe throwing for adults. And more are on the way!

###

Click here to order mouthwatering wild-caught shrimp straight from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.