Memories of Biloxi's Downtown Reynoir Street

PHOTO: Biloxi’s popular City Park, on corner of Reynoir Street, across from the depot, early twentieth century. L&N Railroad initiated building the park as an amenity for train travelers and locals. The original arched Biloxi sign in this photo is now at Biloxi Town Green. Photo: MDAH Randazzo Collection.

This article was originally written by Paige Gutierrez with the title "Reynoir Street Downtown." Paige is 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.

Reynoir Street — one of Biloxi’s oldest — stretches from beachfront to bay, with many neighborhoods and stories along its length. These photos capture a lost section of Reynoir Street, between the train depot and Howard Avenue, before urban renewal and other forces destroyed part of the original two-lane street and adjacent downtown neighborhood. This part of Reynoir Street, convenient to both the railroad station and busy Howard Avenue, blossomed during the era of train travel: complete with a city park, two hotels, the Saenger Theatre and other businesses and residences.

PHOTO: Reynoir Street in the 1940s, looking north toward the train station. Kennedy and Chiapella hotels with balconies, visible in distance, center. Photo: Biloxi Library Local History and Genealogy Collection. 

PHOTO: Hotel Chiapella, as viewed from the City Park on the west side of Reynoir Street, early twentieth century. The Kennedy Hotel is adjacent to the left. Photo: MDAH Randazzo Collection. 

PHOTO: The L&N depot, built in 1901, stood just west of where Reynoir Street crossed the railroad tracks. The Kennedy Hotel is visible on the left in photo. Photo: Biloxi Historical Society. 

PHOTO: Corner of Reynoir Street and Howard Avenue, looking east, with W. V. Joyce Department Store on corner, late 1950s. Both streets are paved in brick, with old streetcar tracks remaining. Photo: Pat Byrd Collection.

PHOTO: Reynoir Street downtown had two lanes with businesses and residences on both sides, prior to 1970s urban renewal. This photo looks north from corner of Howard Avenue, with Barq building on right, and the Saenger Theatre’s sign above sidewalk. The Barq Building and the Saenger escaped the wrecking balls of urban renewal. Photo: Pat Byrd Collection.

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