Harrison County, Mississippi

Barq, E., Pop Factory Beauvoir Benton, Thomas and Melinda, House Biloxi Downtown Historic District Biloxi Downtown Historic District (Boundary Increase) Biloxi Garden Center Biloxi Lighthouse Biloxi Veterans Administration Medical Center Bond House Broadmoor Place Historic District Brunet-Fourchy House Central Gulfport Historic District Clemens House Cuevas Rural Historic District Dantzler, G. B., House East Howard Avenue Historic District Fort Massachusetts French Warehouse Site Gulf Coast Center for the Arts Gulf Gardens Historic District Gulfport Army Air Field Hangar Gulfport Harbor Square Commercial Historic District Gulfport Veterans Administration Medical Center Historic District Gulfport-Harrison County Public Library Gunston Hall Hewes Building House at 638 East Howard Avenue Lameuse Street Historic District Magnolia Hotel Mason, Dr. Gilbert R. Sr., Medical Office Nativity BVM Cathedral Peoples Bank of Biloxi Quarles, W. J., House and Cottage Redding House Reynoir Street Historic District Saenger Theater Scenic Drive Historic District Scherer House Seashore Campground School Second Street Historic District Soria City Historic District Southwest Gulfport Historic District St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church Suter House Swetman, Glenn, House Turkey Creek Community Historic District U.S. Post Office, Courthouse, and Customhouse Upper West Central Historic District US Post Office and Customhouse Walker, H.S. and Mattie M., House West Beach Historic District West Central Historic District West Central Historic District (Boundary Decrease and Increase)

1863 East Pascagoula Raid Antioch Missionary Baptist Church Bear Point Bayou Beauvoir Biloxi Biloxi Beach Wade-In Biloxi Blues Biloxi Lighthouse Birthplace of Barq's Blues & Jazz in the Pass Boggsdale Brielmaier House Broadcasting the Blues Cathedral of the Nativity (B.V.M.) Centennial Plaza Chris LeDoux Church of the Redeemer City of Long Beach Centennial 1905-2005 Civil Rights Wade-Ins Coast Guard Station Barracks D'Iberville High School Original Site Debuys-Hermann-Keller House DeLisle Dixie "White House" Dr. Felix Henry Dunn Early Bank and Post Office Early Long Beach Early Long Beach Father Ryan House First Baptist Church Original Site First Baptist Church, Gulfport Friendship Oak Grass Lawn Gulf Coast College Gulf Coast Military Academy Gulf Park College Gulfport Army Airfield Gulfport Boogie Gulfport Civil Rights Wade-In Handsboro Handsboro Presbyterian Church Harvey's Hill Hurricane Katrina J.W. Randolph School Kellier-Sternberg House Long Beach Presbyterian Church Long Beach Schools Mississippi City Cemetery Mississippi City Colored School Mississippi City Courthouse Moran Site Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church Old Brick House Old Gulfport High School Old Pass Christian High School Palmer Creek Campground Pass Christian Robinson-Maloney-Dantzler House Santa Cruz Landing Saucier-Bidwell-Pratt House Scenic Drive Historic District Ship Island Slavic Benevolent Association St. Mark's Episcopal Church St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church The Crossing The Five Trails The Land and Legend of the Cross The Magnolia Hotel The Magnolia Route The Old Brickyard The Quave Commercial Strip Tivoli Hotel Trinity Episcopal Church Live Oak Cemetery Truck Farming Tullis-Toledano House Turkey Creek Community Turkey Creek Community United Methodist Church Vance-Gillis House War Memorial Park White House Hotel William Bartram Trail Woolmarket
Harrison County, Mississippi has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by indigenous Native American tribes, such as the Biloxi and Pascagoula tribes, who thrived off the abundant resources provided by the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

European exploration of the area began in the 16th century, with Spanish explorers claiming the land for Spain. However, French settlers soon established a presence in the region, led by Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville. The French constructed Fort Maurepas near present-day Ocean Springs in 1699, making it the first permanent settlement in the Mississippi territory.

Throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries, the region changed hands multiple times between the French, Spanish, and British, as the European powers jockeyed for control. Finally, in 1812, during the War of 1812, the United States gained control over the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the Harrison County area, following the Battle of Lake Borgne.

In the following years, Harrison County experienced significant growth and development. Biloxi, the county seat, became a popular resort town, attracting visitors from all over the country. The area also became an important hub for the seafood industry, with shrimping and oyster harvesting becoming major economic drivers.

However, the county also faced significant challenges. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated Harrison County and the entire Gulf Coast region, causing widespread destruction and displacing thousands of residents. The area has since rebuilt and recovered, with ongoing efforts to strengthen infrastructure and promote economic growth.

Overall, Harrison County's history is a testament to the resilience and perseverance of its residents, who have overcome numerous challenges to shape the vibrant and diverse community that exists today.
Brief timeline of the history of Harrison County, Mississippi:

  • 1811: Harrison County is established as one of the original counties in Mississippi.
  • 1836: The county seat is established in Mississippi City.
  • 1870: Gulfport is incorporated as a town in Harrison County.
  • 1898: Long Beach is incorporated as a town in Harrison County.
  • 1902: The city of Gulfport is officially incorporated in Harrison County.
  • 1914: The world's first underwater vehicular tunnel connects Biloxi and Ocean Springs in Harrison County.
  • 1955: Hurricane Camille hits Harrison County, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
  • 1969: Hurricane Camille hits Harrison County, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
  • 1990: The city of Biloxi celebrates its 300th anniversary.
  • 2005: Hurricane Katrina devastates Harrison County, causing extensive damage and loss of life.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Harrison County, Mississippi.