Historical Marker

Mississippi Gulf Coast Blues & Heritage Festival

Marker provided by: Mississippi Blues Commission.

The Mississippi Blues Trail markers tell stories through words and images of bluesmen and women and how the places where they lived and the times in which they existed–and continue to exist–influenced their music. The sites run the gamut from city streets to cotton fields, train depots to cemeteries, and clubs to churches. We have a lot to share, and it’s just down the Mississippi Blues Trail.

The Mississippi Blues Trail is an ongoing project of the Mississippi Blues Commission. Funding for this project has been made possible by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, AT&T, and the Delta Center for Culture and Learning at Delta State University plus additional support from the Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Division.

For more information visit msbluestrail.org.

Blues Trail
Audiobooks about the history of Mississippi.
Mississippi was the 20th state to join the Union, admitted on December 10, 1817.
Mississippi random facts
Jackson County, Mississippi, located on the Gulf Coast, has a rich and diverse history that spans centuries. The region was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Pascagoula and Biloxi, for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. The first European contact came in the early 16th century with Spanish explorers, followed by French and British settlements. However, it was the French who established the first permanent settlement in the area in 1699.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Jackson County became an important hub for trade and commerce, with agrarian and maritime industries driving its economy. The county was officially established in 1812 and named after President Andrew Jackson. The region's natural resources, including its fertile soil and access to the Gulf of Mexico, made it an ideal location for the cultivation of crops, such as cotton and timber, and for fishing and shipbuilding.

Jackson County played a significant role during the Civil War, with several skirmishes and battles occurring in its vicinity. The county's strategic location made it a target for both Union and Confederate forces, and its economy suffered greatly as a result of the conflict. However, the post-war years brought about a period of reconstruction and recovery, leading to the development of towns and communities across the county.

In the 20th century, Jackson County experienced rapid growth and modernization. The discovery of offshore petroleum reserves in the 1930s brought about the establishment of industries related to oil and gas exploration and production. Shipbuilding also became a major industry, with the construction of naval vessels during World War II and the subsequent development of the modern shipbuilding facility, Ingalls Shipbuilding. Today, Jackson County is a thriving area known for its cultural heritage, outdoor recreational opportunities, and vibrant economy.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Jackson County, Mississippi.

  • 1699: Jackson County is founded by French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville.
  • 1810: The Mississippi Territory is created, including what is now Jackson County.
  • 1812: The first courthouse in Jackson County is built in Pascagoula.
  • 1817: Mississippi becomes a state, with Jackson County as one of its first counties.
  • 1861-1865: Jackson County is greatly affected by the American Civil War.
  • 1904: The first railroad is completed in Jackson County, bringing economic growth.
  • 1914: The town of Gautier is incorporated in Jackson County.
  • 1942-1945: Jackson County plays a significant role in supporting World War II efforts.
  • 2005: Hurricane Katrina devastates Jackson County and the entire Gulf Coast region.