Did You Know?

During the summers of 1951-1957, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll Elvis Presley stayed at the GULF HILLS HOTEL in Ocean Springs.

PASCAGOULA means “bread people” as the Pascagoula Indians made bread using the starchy native plants grown along the river.

The BILOXI LIGHTHOUSE is almost 200 years old and is notable for having several female lightkeepers in its history.

In the early 19^th century, Coastal Mississippi was a hotbed for ENTERTAINMENT and EARLY GAMBLING, with tourist destinations including the Magnolia Hotel, the Nixon Hotel, Madame Pradat’s, and the Shady Grove Hotel.

Because gambling was popular, the BROADWATER BEACH HOTEL was built in 1938 to cater to local and visitor gamblers who could afford it, a significant economy booster after the Great Depression.

The CHEVRON REFINERY in Pascagoula processes approximately 351,000 barrels of crude oil daily, which equals 6.45 million gallons of gasoline.

MOCKINGBIRD CAFE in Bay St. Louis is a plastic free restaurant.

The OCEAN SPRINGS COMMUNITY CENTER houses a 3,000 square foot mural by late iconic coastal artist Walter Anderson.

The self-proclaimed “MAD POTTER” of Biloxi, George Ohr is considered an early leader in the modernist movement.

In 2016, LYNN MEADOWS DISCOVERY CENTER in Gulfport was awarded the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the highest honor a museum can receive.

The 2017 MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST BILLFISH CLASSIC saw the swordfish state record broken with a 242.54 pound, 82.5” catch.

CRUISIN' THE COAST, “America’s Largest Block Party,” is a festival to celebrate antique, classic and hot rod vehicles. In 2018, the festival had 8,444 registrants from 44 states, Canada, Germany, and Australia.