|
This week we come to you from the “Friendly
City” on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
We are in the Harrison County town of Long
Beach.
Located four miles west of Gulfport, Long
Beach was originally settled in 1788 and first
known as Scott’s Station for a Dr. Scott
who owned a large tract of land here. The town’s
name was later changed to Long Beach because
of its wide, sloping beach.
W. J. Quarles is credited with starting the truck
farming industry in Long Beach in the late 1890's.
Fresh produce was shipped daily to markets all
across the United States.
Rail Cars were loaded with vegetables each
day on these very tracks and at one time
Long Beach was known as the “Radish
Capital of America” This might sound
strange, but before prohibition; the beer
parlors and saloons of the north served radishes
as an accompaniment to beer; much as pretzels
and peanuts are served today.
You can’t make a trip to Long Beach without
stopping by and visiting the magnificent Friendship
Oak. Located on the Campus of the University
of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast; this five
hundred year old live Oak tree is revered by
tree lovers and held in fond memory by those
whose wedding ceremonies were conducted on
the platform within its mighty branches. It’s
called the Friendship Oak because those who
enter the shadow of the tree are supposed to
remain friends for life.
And speaking of friends, in our first story
we introduce you to a Long Beach group that
has become the best of friends with injured
wild animals.
WRANPS has been in existence for 20 years on
the Mississippi Gulf Coast and provides proper
care for injured and orphaned wildlife. WRANPS
operates under Federal and State permits, and
volunteers at the WRANPS Wildlife Center attend
workshops, seminars, and other ongoing training
to provide the most up-to-date treatment for
the animals in their care. In 1984, more than
400 wild animals passed through WRANPS doors.
Our total number of animals in 1997 was over
1200! WRANPS is a non-profit volunteer organization
that depends on volunteers and donations to
carry on its work. The Director is the only
salaried staff member and is instrumental in
keeping the organization together. She also
depends heavily on volunteers to carry on our
mission to rescue, rehabilitate, release, and
educate.
Long Beach is known for its high quality
of education. The public schools are continually
rated among the best in the state. If you
are interested in furthering your education
after high school; the University of Southern
Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Campus is
the perfect setting. Situated on highway
90, overlooking the beautiful white sand
beaches of the Gulf of Mexico it is the ultimate
backdrop for soaking up knowledge.
And Speaking of knowledge; in our next story
we head south to Ship Island and deliver
a history lesson on Fort
Massachusetts.
Following the War of 1812, the United States
War Department began planning for the construction
of an extensive system of masonry fortifications
for coastal defense. "Because of Ship
Island's natural deep-water harbor and its
location along a shipping route, Ship Island
was important to the defense of New Orleans
and the Gulf Coast. The island was declared
a United States military reservation in 1847,
and 9 years later the U. S. Congress authorized
construction of a fort. A site approximately
500 feet from the western tip of the island
was eventually selected as the location for
the fort. Construction began in June 1859 under
supervision of the Army Corps of Engineers.
The work was primarily done by civilians. The
work force sometimes numbered as many as 100
men, and included carpenters, masons, blacksmiths,
and stonecutters. By early 1861 the outside
wall of the fort stood 6 to 8 feet above the
level of the sand.
In January 1861 Mississippi seceded from
the Union, becoming the second state of the
Confederacy. One of the first acts of war
in the state occurred on Ship Island when
an armed band of Mississippi militia took
possession of the island and the unfinished
fort. The militia soon abandoned the island
where it remained deserted until early June
when Confederate troops returned and mounted
several cannons. On July 9, the Union ship
Massachusetts came within range of the Confederate
guns. The 20-minute exchange of cannon fire
that followed resulted in few injuries and
little damage to either side. That action
was the only military engagement in which
Ship Island or the fort would ever be directly
involved.
During the remainder of the summer of 1861,
the Confederate forces on the island worked
with sandbags and timber to strengthen the
walls of the unfinished fort. Despite their
work the Confederates abandoned the island
in mid-September.
Union forces soon occupied the island.
Ship Island was used as the staging area
for the Union Forces' successful capture
of New Orleans in the spring of 1862. As
many as 18,000 United States troops were
stationed on Ship Island. The island's harsh
environment took its toll on many of the
men. More than 230 Union troops eventually
died and were buried on Ship Island during
the Civil War. The bodies of many of these
men were later reburied at Chalmette National
Cemetery near New Orleans.
Throughout the remainder of the war Union
Forces made good use of Ship Island. Union
ships stopped at the island for repairs and
to pick up supplies. One of the first black
regiments in the United States Army was recruited
in Louisiana and stationed on Ship Island
for almost 3 years. A hospital, barracks,
mess hall, and bakery were just a few of
nearly 40 buildings constructed on the island
during the war. In addition, the Army Corps
of Engineers resumed construction of the
fort in 1862. It was during the Civil War
the fort was first called "Massachusetts" probably
in honor of the Union ship by the same name.
However, the fort was never officially named,
and was referred to simply as the "Fort
on Ship Island" in most official records.
The Corps of Engineers continued work on
the fort until the fall of 1866. It was then
turned over to a civilian fort keeper C.
H. "Pop" Stone whose duty it was
to maintain the fort in a state of readiness.
After cannons were mounted, an ordinance-sergeant
was assigned to care for the fort's armament.
He eventually assumed all responsibility
for the upkeep of the fort. The last ordinance-sergeant
was relieved of duty in 1903, and the Ship
Island lighthouse keeper became the fort's
caretaker.
Long Beach is known for its numerous restaurants
that specialize in fresh seafood brought
in directly from the Gulf of Mexico. And
one of the finest of those establishments
is Chappy’s. Opened in 1984, Chappy’s
has become one of the premiere restaurants
on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
And speaking of premier restaurants, we
reach into our vault and pull out a story
produced eighteen years ago on a coastal
restaurant that has truly stood the test
of time.
French colonist Louis Frasier built
this home in 1737 as an outpost of European
culture
on the shore of a new world. It is proudly
and magnificently French, with the same
high ceilings so characteristic of the Vieux
Carre
apartments in New Orleans. Frasier built his home of hand-made brick,
with wooden pegged columns of cypress. Slate
for the roof came over as ballast in the
holds of French sailing ships.
The Old
French House predates American Independence
by more than three decades. French Governor
Jean Baptiste Bienville commanded the
entire Louisiana Territory from his quarters
here. Records are scarce, but we know the house remained
with Frasier's heirs until 1820. Subsequent
residents were of varied nationalities as the
colony came under French, Spanish, and later
German and English influence before joining
the United States with the Louisiana Purchase.
The Old French House remained a residence
until 1962 when it was acquired by Mary Mahoney
and her husband, Bob. Along with their children,
Bob, Jr. and Eileen, and her brother, Andrew
Cvitanovitch, they have created a restaurant
and lounge that offers the warmth and hospitality
the house was built for.
Great care has been taken to preserve the
charm and character of this venerable landmark,
with its exposed brick walls, heart-pine
floors, and open fireplaces. Here you will
enjoy superb food and drink in an atmosphere
rich with the legacy of history.
Long Beach is a vibrant community tucked
b between the Bay of St. Louis and the Bay
of Biloxi. But what draws people to this
area is the Gulf of Mexico and the twenty-
six miles of sugar white sand man-made beaches.
Let me give you a little tip. If you want
to enjoy the beach without the crowds, Long
Beach is you ideal location.
In our next story, we travel to Natchez,
where people are drawn by history and old
buildings. We take you inside one of the
oldest–King’s Tavern; on this
weeks edition of Walt’s Way.
Built prior to 1789, King's Tavern is believed
to be the oldest building in Natchez. Built
of cypress planking, sun-baked bricks and massive
ship's timbers the tavern dates back to the
Spanish period in Natchez. The first US mail
to reach Natchez was brought here, for distribution,
by an Indian runner. King's Tavern has at least
one permanent resident, a ghost named Madeline.
Legend says that Madeline was mistress to
the tavern's owner and namesake, Richard
King, in the late 1700's. When Kings wife
found out, she had Madeline murdered and
bricked into the fireplace in the main dining
room. In the 1930's, three skeletons were
unearthed in the tavern. Two skeletons belonged
to young men, the other was that of a young
woman with a knife found close by. Now run
as a restaurant and bar, Madeline often plays
pranks on the staff and guests. Although
Madeline is the most well known ghost haunting
the tavern, she is not, however, the only
one.
There is never a bad time to come to Long
Beach but the Fall is a particular good one.
Cruisin’ the Coast is going on and
the kick off parade ends at the Long Beach
Harbor where a Rockin’ the Dock party
is held. The town has recently started decorating
the downtown area with scarecrows and other
festive items for the autumn season. So come
visit Long Beach and discover the Gulf Coasts
hidden gem.
(top
of page)
|