For it was in 1699 that Pierre le Moyne, Sieur d'Iberville, founded the first settlement in the French colony of Louisiane.
The spot where d'Iberville set up his cornerstones certainly turned out to be a place of good fortune, as the coastal town of Biloxi, Mississippi and the Gulf Coast environs have bloomed into a popular beach-and-casino resort destination.
Beaches, Blue Sky, and BlackJack
Along the Mississippi Gulf Coast are more than 20 miles of white sand beaches, public fishing piers, and sea walls. Outdoor recreation and the beach scene are a way of life. With an abundance of resorts, hotels, and housing along the shore, the atmosphere has long drawn residents of surrounding cities as the setting for a weekend getaway or second home. A highlight of any coast trip includes a 12-mile ferry ride to beautiful Ship Island, one of our last undeveloped barrier islands.
With the state's legalization of riverboat gaming, the Gulf Coast is booming.
Casinos (built on barges connected to land with bridges) have popped up mostly around Biloxi and Gulfport. Steve Wynn, famous developer of the Bellagio in Vegas, poured $650 million into his world-class Beau Rivage in Biloxi. Restaurants with nationally renown chefs, entertainment such as world title boxing matches and Cirque du Soleil, and 24-hour gaming are drawing huge crowds to the area.
Gulfport
The second largest city in Mississippi is growing rapidly in imports and exports with the intercoastal waterway, and industries moving to the area. Several colleges located in Gulfport include Jeff Davis Community College and William Carey Coast Campus. For kids, the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center and the Marine Life Oceanarium provide educational and creative activities.
Numerous deep sea charter boats operate in Gulfport.
Bay St. Louis
Bay St. Louis is only a 40-minute drive from New Orleans. A village atmosphere has drawn resident artists and writers, along with unique shops, restaurants and antique stores. Home of the Stennis Space Center, and industrial corporations such as General Electric, Calgon, Wellmann, Alcan Cable, and many smaller industries.
For entertainment, Casino Magic offers gambling and The Bridges, an 18-hole Arnold Palmer-designed golfcourse. Bay St. Louis is also a great place for deep sea fishing.
Diamondhead
A fast-growing residential community that offers the luxuries of country club living at an affordable price. Located off of I-10, convenient for commuting to New Orleans and the Gulfport/Biloxi area. Diamondhead is home to a Yacht Club, two 18-hole championship golf courses, tennis world, children's sports complex and shopping. Two new schools are scheduled to open in 1999-2000 to add to an already excellent school system.
Biloxi
One of the oldest cities on the coast, Biloxi hosts traditional celebrations and festivals, and also houses Mississippi's largest public aquarium, the JL Scott Aquarium.
"Casino Row" offers beachfront gaming and entertainment at such big name resorts as the President Casino Broadwater Resort, Imperial Palace, Beau Rivage, Grand Casino and the unique Treasure Bay, a replica of an 18th-century pirate ship.
Biloxi also proudly hosts the Mississippi Sea Wolves hockey team, the Beach Kings indoor soccer team, and The Firedogs indoor football team. Keesler Air Force Base is a large part of the community.
Making the Gulf Coast Home
This coastline region has much to offer the home buyer. There is everything from resort communities like Diamondhead and beach front homes in Bay St. Louis, to country living in Hancock and Harrison Counties. Beaches, trees, clean air, excellent schools, a growing economy, convenient shopping and a moderate climate make the Mississippi Gulf Coast a wonderful place to live.
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