Biloxi, Mississippi: A Proud City of Historic Proportions
A visit to Biloxi, Mississippi may be due to a number of reasons. The foremost may be as a member of the military at the Keesler Air Force Base. However, once there, you are simply taken with the rich history of the area. Biloxi is deeply entrenched in the development of our country as a nation. As a truly American town, it’s also not surprising that they are incredibly avid sports fans. Hockey is a mainstay in Biloxi and the Mississipi Surge team is part of the Southern professional hockey league. Basketball is one of the main hot sports as well, with games attended by almost standing only crowds peering at the basketball scoreboard for each point made.
Three hundred years ago, the area now known as Biloxi was an important port area that was claimed by the French, English and Spanish. Like many of the territories of the time, the French influence was held the longest and the residents retained much of the culture in the creation of their own unique blend. The close proximity to New Orleans gave Biloxi the advantage of becoming more of a summer resort area.
The Civil War brought almost immediate capture of Biloxi, which may have served to actually save the area from the massive destruction of so many of the southern towns. The continuation of the area as a resort brought an influx of multicultural influences as well as a more lucrative investment base. Wealthy individuals bought real estate in the area and built some of the most beautiful resort homes in Mississippi. The addition of casinos added to the revenue of the Biloxi.
World War II brought the construction of the Keesler Air Force Base, and this introduced an entire new infusion of jobs and people to Biloxi. By the 1950’s the casinos became an added attraction that enticed both vacationers as well as the local military to Biloxi. The success of the ventures was at such a high rate, that Biloxi began to overtake the State of Florida as a vacation and resort spot. Tourists loved the down home feeling, the weather and especially the many sports games. Visitors and townspeople alike would be seen attending the games and viewing the basketball scoreboards to check out who was winning.
Visitors from around the world are taken with these historic landmarks, the Cajun cuisine and the welcoming attitudes of the local residents. Their pride is reflected in the many museums and art galleries as well as the broad landscape of history throughout Biloxi.
Due to its location in the Gulf of Mexico, Biloxi has experienced many high velocity hurricanes. While the people may be used to preparation, there is never a way to be completely prepared for the onslaught of winds and tidal surges. The worst Hurricane was in 2005, when Hurricane Katrina devastated much of the Biloxi area. As with the New Orleans area, the storm surge overtook the area and flooded many of the casinos, landmarks and residences. The winds pounded Biloxi for seventeen hours and at the end of the storm, Biloxi was nearly destroyed.
The people of the area banded together, assessed the damage and began to do what they do best: rebuild. It has taken many years to bring Biloxi back to the beauty and grace, but it is stronger and better than it was before. Biloxi reached back to the roots of the people that founded the area to bring their hometown back. Sports fields, stadiums and scoreboards were rebuilt, so that the people could once again feel like this was home.
Today a visitor can walk along the beach at Biloxi, enjoy many of the restaurants, cafes and even do a little gambling. Seeing it now, it’s hard to believe that it wasn’t that long ago that Hurricane Katrina stuck. Biloxi is a testament to its citizens.
Sources:
//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biloxi,_Mississippi
https://www.pinterest.ru/pin/529313762432962175/
