This article originally written by Jane Shambra with the title "Biloxi's Broadwater Memories" for BNews Monthly, the monthly newsletter of the City of Biloxi. Photographs courtesy of the LHG Image Collection / Local History & Genealogy Department / Harrison County Library System unless otherwise specified.
One of the most popular tourist spots along our Biloxi shoreline was the Broadwater Beach Hotel. From its modest beginnings to its grand upgrades that made the property a travel destination contender, the Broadwater Beach Hotel was a signature attraction to the coast at to Biloxi.
In fact, in the old days, its address was not in Biloxi. The property actually sat between the then-city limits of Biloxi and Gulfport. In 1940, ads guided hotel visitors to four miles west of Biloxi and seven miles east of Gulfport. It wasn't until the 1960s annexation that the Broadwater was christened with an official Biloxi address. The exact location of this resort can be imagined to be between the Southern Memorial Park Cemetery and the Beauvoir properties.
The Broadwater was built in the late 1930s by Pete Martin Sr., a well-known gambler of the time. He opened the $250,000 Art Deco-style hotel in August 1939 and called it the Sea View. Soon after its opening, law enforcement officials hauled off illegal casino gambling tables.
Back in those days, the fast-speed interstate highway system had not yet been built, and tourists would travel to and from the Broadwater via U.S. Highway 90 and passenger train. U.S. 90, then, was a simple two-lane highway. Later in 1962, the Broadwater offered free transportation within its 33-acre property via an eight-car circus train.
The original property had 66 rooms with a few cottages on the grounds. There was also a 600-foot fishing pier with a dancing pavilion, barber and beauty shops and a snack bar.
In 1958, the Broadwater Beach Hotel was sold for $100,000 at a public auction to Joe W. Brown, a native of Texas whose fortune was acquired from racehorses, gambling and oil. At that time, the Broadwater Beach Hotel occupied a tract of 27 1/2 acres and had only about 25 rooms with 25 additional motel apartments adjacent to the hotel. In 1958, the Broadwater was a three-story structure and had a modern restaurant and lounge, which was originally constructed in 1939.
Mr. Brown passed away a year after the purchase and his widow, Dorothy Brown, spent millions on property renovation, $3 million on the marina alone. In fact, its first vessel, The Broadwater, slid into its berth in August 1964. The main building was expanded, riding stables and tennis courts were added and later came a swimming pool and golf course. The Broadwater's golf course was first known as the Great Southern, the same name as the famous Gulfport course. So, Mrs. Brown retitled it the "Sea Course".
The grand resort with its playground atmosphere remained a popular destination until the late 1980s. After nearly a decade of decline, the property was sold to John E. Connelly of Pittsburg and his company, the President Casino Corporation, in 1992. The President Casino Broadwater Resort was then opened aboard a riverboat docked at the Broadwater Resort Marina in August 1992.
Special Delivery
At 6:55 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27, 1966 elected officials along with Broadwater
managers and personnel greeted a long-
awaited delivery truck from Jackson, Miss.
According to a Louisiana newspaper,
Broadwater manager T. M. Dorsett eagerly
sampled the first serving of legal liquor: scotch over ice fizzed in with a little soda.
For 58 years, since 1908, that liquor had been illegal in this state. The official
ribbon cutting for this special event was
assisted by Biloxi Mayor Daniel Guice and
County Supervisor Laz Quave.
The special delivery truck was escorted by a sheriff’s car with flashing lights. Initially only two cases of the special liquid were unloaded at the front door. The remaining boxes traveled in the truck to the rear of the facility.
Soon followed was the long lines for applications for retail sales licensing via the State of Mississippi. There was a warning out that anyone dodging the State’s official licensing process would automatically be ineligible for legalized approval!
Broadcasting Live
Back in the day, there were no flat-screen TVs or digital music and videos. Radio was the outlet for news and entertainment. In 1950, radio station WVMI became affiliated with the Progressive Broadcasting System and began broadcasting at its new studio located at the Broadwater. On Sunday, November 26, 1950 WVMI broadcast its inaugural program which included such stars as Bob Hope, Peggy Lee, and Eddie Cantor. A typical Sunday WVMI programming schedule in the 1950s from the Broadwater Hotel would feature several religious events, including an African American Baptist Choir, and a mass from St. Michael’s Church on Point Cadet. Later in the day, the Sammy Kay Orchestra, Wayne King, and The Guy Lombardo Orchestra could be heard over its airwaves. In 1953, WVMI radio station was touted to be the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s Most Powerful Radio Station.
Movie Time
In 2014, a joint project by WYES-TV and the Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation compiled a popular unique documentary, “Biloxi Memories and the Broadwater Beach Hotel” which aired as a TV documentary. It not only featured the famous Broadwater Beach Hotel, but it also included interviews, pictures, maps, and the unique history of Biloxi.
This documentary was so impressive that the producer/director/writer of this film, Barbara Sillery, was inspired to write an amazing book: “Biloxi Memories” featuring popular topics in Biloxi’s history, such as George E. Ohr, Queen Ixolib, Biloxi’s Hermit, and even Gus, Elvis and Jayne.
A Monster Visitor
In spite of its durable buildings and adjacent
sturdy President Casino barge, Hurricane
Katrina did not spare this
memorable icon. Not only was the famous marina and hotel destroyed, but this monstrous, unwelcomed “lady” also carried the giant
President Casino gambling boat to a new
location, three-fourths of a mile northwest of its
original spot. Imagine that!
A New Life
Recently, the City of Biloxi received great
news of plans to revitalize the old Broadwater
location. This $1.5 billion music-themed project
is expected to feature a plethora of music, a
hotel, golfing, spa, and other added amenities.
Mayor FoFo Gilich was quoted as saying:
“Music and entertainment has always been a
part of Biloxi’s DNA.”
This new project with its amazing location
and ultra-modern features will be perfectly
themed to continue Biloxi’s tradition of its
successful entertainment and gambling past.
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