Gulfport, Mississippi: The City That Wouldn’t Give Up

Gulfport is a city of beautiful beaches and some of the best pop culture competitions in the country. A harbor city with its root in the lumber industry, it has progressed to be a wonderful tourist town. Milner Stadium is host to some of the most rousing sports competitions you will find in any town; and the local residents support their baseball team with colors, banners and the excitement of the results of every run on the baseball scoreboard.

Originally started as a location for the shipment of lumber by two of the railroad and lumber magnates of the time, Gulfport had a huge infusion of investments to ensure that it was a functioning seaport. The beautiful beach area, combined with the location attracted people from all cultures to stop in for a visit. Progress continued so that the little community grew with the tourism trade, opening inns and later motels and casinos. The geographic location became the home of the U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet Seebees with active, Coast Guard Auxiliary and reserves on duty at all times.

The Worlds Largest Fishing Rodeo, the speedboat races called Smokin the Sound and their classic car show referred to as Crusin’ the Coast are just a few of the uniquely Gulfport features that delight their fans and attendees. Visitors can walk the beautiful manmade beaches and enjoy a multitude of fun and fanfare. If golfing is your passion, Gulfport has numerous award winning areas to appease every taste. Restaurants with varied cuisines are placed for enjoyment and varied eclectic pleasures.

The 2005 Hurricane Katrina was a devastating blow to much of the gulf coast, and Gulfport received a major hit. Many of the areas experienced flooding, with residents facing sixteen hours of hurricane category four winds. The twenty eight foot storm surge wiped out so much of the area; the residents were forced to leave.

As is many areas that were hit, it has taken time to bring the city back. But that’s one of the things about the people of Gulfport; they are a driven people, with a sense of pride and did not give up. Today you can go to Gulfport and you might be hard pressed to imagine what it looked like after Hurricane Katrina struck. The people have rebuilt their city. Hotels, casinos and even the fishing charters are again operating with capacity crowds. The festivals and competitions are once again being held, many with fervor more enthusiastic than before. Outdoor activities in Gulfport are now advanced so that a visitor can take in the beauty of the area and get a true appreciation of the city. From fishing to horse back riding, the grandeur of the area is filled with fun and sun. Museums and galleries are open, with special new museums and activities just for the kids. Locals as well as visitors can be seen at Milner Stadium to support their local sports teams. Attending any game is a step into a feeling of hometown America. The excitement is electric and one feels swept away as the fans cheer for their favorite team member. Baseball games are especially welcoming with wild applause when the baseball scoreboard light up with points.

There is something hearty about the people of Gulfport. Maybe it is the fact that their roots are based in people that worked hard to build what they have and to ensure their children inherited the land and their ethics. The residents of the area have a lot to be proud of, because when others would have thrown in the towel, they simply didn’t consider that an option.

Sources:
//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulfport,_Mississippi
gulfcoast.org/