"A 20^th Century Chronology of Ocean Springs"
by, Ray L. Bellande, Local Historian

 

Ocean Springs State Bank
  
 
  1900 - 1949   ¤   1950 - 1969   ¤   1970 - 1979   ¤   1980 - 1999   ¤  2000 - PRESENT

As the 20^th Century rapidly vanishes into the history books, it is an appropriate time to review the past ten decades. Commencing with the year 1900 and continuing to present day, I have subjectively gleaned salient dates and facts relating to our local chronology from journals and other authoritative sources.

The period 1900-1910 is marked by the birth of the remarkable Schmidt brothers. These sons of Frank E. Schmidt (1877-1954) and Antoinette Johnson Schmidt (1880-1956), Dr. Frank O. Schmidt, Dr. Harry J. Schmidt, and Charles E. Schmidt, left an indelible mark on the history of Ocean Springs. Though seemingly native sons, the Anderson brothers, Peter, Walter (Bob), and James (Mac), who would become leaders in the artistic community for over seven decades, came into the world at New Orleans.

Many of the old guard millionaires from New Orleans, the Midwest, and the Eastern seaboard, whose winter havens dotted the shoreline from Fort Point to Halstead Bayou passed on. Modern technology in the guise of the telephone, electricity, the automobile, moving pictures, and an ice plant, began to arrive here. Several new churches were built and the tourist industry was strong with more than ten hotels and many tourist homes in operation primarily on Front Beach, Jackson Avenue, and Washington Avenue.

Horticulture, especially citrus and pecan orchards, began to develop east and north of Ocean Springs. On the negative side, two hurricanes hit town and a small gang of young ruffians who had terrorized the city for several years was broken up when one was killed in a scuffle on Washington Avenue by a gun-slinging, lawman from Vancleave.

The Cumberland Telephone & Telegraph Company commenced installation of the first telephone system in Ocean Springs.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, February 2, 1900)

Narcisse Seymour (1849-1931), pioneer seafood shipper, was sending shrimp to Mobile, New Orleans, and Pascagoula.(The Pascagoula Democrat- la Democrat-Star, September 28, Star, March 16, 1900)

The Big White Public School on Porter and Dewey was completed on April 15, 1900, by contractor, Frank Bourgh. Professor Q.D. Sauls was in charge of the nearly two hundred students in attendance.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, April 13, 1900)

The Methodist Episcopal Church on the southeast corner of Porter and Rayburn was dedicated on September 16, 1900.(The Pascagou1900) A new Sanctuary commenced services here October 21, 1962.

The Ocean Springs Drug Store building of Herman Nill (1863-1904) situated on the northwest corner of Washington Avenue and Porter was destroyed in a large conflagration on December 2, 1900. The building also housed the Cumberland Telephone Exchange and office of Dr. E.A. Riggs (1861-1903). Mr. Nill’s brother-in-law, Caspar Vahle (1867-1922), had his livery stable burned the same night.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, December 7, 1900)

The Hurricane of August 15, 1901 came ashore at Pascagoula. The first Fort Bayou Bridge, a steel structure, at Franco’s Ferry on Washington Avenue was built by the George E. King Bridge Company for $9469 in 1901. It was completed in December 1901. Leonard Fayard (1847-1923) was the first bridge tender and was remunerated $30 per month for his duties.  (Minute Book 4, JXCO Mississippi Board of Supervisors, p. 39, p. 45, p. 108, p. 122, and p. 165)

The Peoples Water Works was chartered by Joseph Kotzum (1842-1915, F.J. Lundy (1863-1912), B.F. Joachim (1853-1925), Thomas I. Keys (1861-1931), et al on September 4, 1901, to compete with J.J. Kuhn’s water works company.(JXCO Chancery Court Chattel Deed Bk. 2, pp. 182-187)

Peter Anderson (1901-1984), potter and artisan, was born on December 22, 1901, at New Orleans.

W.B. Schmidt, (1823-1901), the Merchant Prince of New Orleans expired. Schmidt had a large estate on Front Beach and owned the Ocean Springs Hotel from circa 1866 until 1901 with his business partner,Frances M. Ziegler (1818-1901). He was generous to the people of Ocean Springs giving land for St. John’s Episcopal Church in 1891, and the Marble Springs Park in 1896.

Arthur A. Macginnis (1846-1901) Jr., cotton manufacturer of New Orleans, and proprietor of a large estate on Front Beach, died at New York City on December 27, 1901. His wife, Mary Amelia Tweed (1851-1887), was the daughter of W.M. "Boss" Tweed (1823-1878), leader of Tammany, the Democratic political machine of NYC.

The Bowers Bill, created for the conservation of the Mississippi oyster industry, passed in the State legislature.

In April 1902, Mrs. Annie L. Benjamin (1848-1938) of Milwaukee acquires the Parker Earle (1831-1917) Place on Fort Point from Sarah Deuel Cooke (1839-1904), and commenced development of the park landscape at "Shore Acres" on what became known as Benjamin Point.

Joseph Benson Rose (1841-1902) expired on July 3, 1902, in the Savoy Hotel at NYC. Mr. Rose, an entrepreneur and yachtsman of NYC and Chicago, maintained an estate, "Elk Lodge", on East Beach. He gave his name to the Earle Farm, which he acquired in August 1897.

Dr. Frank O. Schmidt (1902-1975), dedicated community physician, born at Ocean Springs on November 16, 1902.

The Scranton State Bank opened a branch here on the northeast corner of Washington and County Road (Government).

Jacques Bertuccini (1854-1943)-Blossman Cottage was erected at present day 619 Washington Avenue.

Walter I. "Bob"Anderson (1903-1965), ceramics decorator and watercolorist, was born at New Orleans on September 29, 1903.

In late June 1904, electric street lights operated by the Biloxi Electric Railway & Power Company (Biloxi Light & Power Co.) were activated.(C.E. Schmidt, 1972, p. 116 and The Progress, June 25, 1904, p. 4)

Charles E. Schmidt (1904-1988), Ocean Springs inventor, entrepreneur, engineer, historian, and Mayor of Ocean Springs, was born at Ocean Springs.

Former Ocean Springs and Biloxi pharmacist, Herman Nill, a native of New Orleans, expired at Gulfport in late December 1904.(The Progress, December 24, 1904, p. 4, c. 5)

The first silent movie house was opened on the west side of Washington Avenue by Judge Illing in the Horton Building. The Arndt Building between Hancock Bank and Miner’s Toys is situated in this general vicinity today.(Marion Illing Moran)

The Ocean Springs State Bank was organized in January 1905, by Dr. O.L. Bailey (1870-1938) and F.M. Weed (1852-1926), et al.

The venerable Ocean Springs Hotel on Jackson Avenue was destroyed by fire on

May 25, 1905.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, May 26, 1905, p. 3, c. 2)

George Friar commenced a bucket factory. Porter B. Hand (1834-1914), master mechanic and son of Miles B. Hand (1804-1880+), the founder of Handsboro, ran the machinery which made staves from pine and native woods at the rate of one bucket each minute.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, December 1, 1905)

In August 1905, The Illing House, one of the oldest hotels of Ocean Springs, was demolished by Judge E.W. Illing. It was located on the northeast corner of Washington Avenue and Porter where Illing would build later his Illing Theatre.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, August 11,1905)

In October, Marcellus "Mike" Reus (1884-1905) was killed in a scuffle by Night Policeman, Henry Taylor (1869-1947), on Washington Avenue. Officer Taylor, a former deputy sheriff, was brought in from Vancleave to eliminate hoodlum activity in the town.

Dr. Harry J. Schmidt (1905-1997), prominent Biloxi physician, was born at Ocean Springs on December 28, 1905.

J.J. Kuhn (1848-1925) of New Orleans sold his waterworks operations to the Peoples Water Works for $3180.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, January 5, 1906)

The automobile arrived at Ocean Springs. Two Canadian born gentlemen, who settled here, Dr. Henry B. Powell (1867-1949) and Orey A. Young (1868-1938), share the honor of owning the first cars in town.(The Pascagoula Democrat Star, April 6, 1906, p. 3, c. 5 and Ocean Springs French Beachhead, 1972, p. 101) Not far behind were Fred W. Benjamin (1879-ca 1945) and Colonel Newcomb Clark (1836-1913).(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, October 26, 1906, p. 2, c. 1)

Dr. H.B. Powell establishes a sanitarium on Fort Bayou in the Antonio Franco (1834-1891) home.

The Scranton State Bank failed in August 1906.

On September 26-27, 1906, a Hurricane hit Pascagoula. There was wide spread damage at Ocean Springs as the 1878 Baptist Church on Desoto Avenue was destroyed. The Knights of Pythias Hall on Washington Avenue was severely marred and later demolished. The Rose Farm was extensively damaged as well as the Boulevard Farm residency of Mr. C.S. Bell (1842-1925). The residences of Wilson L. Carter (1867-1942) and Joe Wieder (1879-1931), which were under construction, were demolished by the tempest. The Firemen’s Hall and the new concrete block store of the VanCleave Brothers were wrecked. Many trees and fences on Washington and Jackson Avenue were blown down.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, October 5, 1906 and The Biloxi Daily Herald, September 28, 1906, p. 2))

The J.J. O’Keefe (1860-1911), family mansion, which now serves as the Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, was built on Porter Avenue.

Mrs. Martha Lyon Holcomb (1833-1906) expired at "Hollywood", her home on the northeast corner of Porter and Rayburn, on November 29,1906..

L&N Railroad erected a new depot building east of the former structure.

Pioneer citizen, Joseph Bellande, (1813-1907), a native of Marseille, France passed on June 16,1907. The Bellande Cemetery situated on Dewey Avenue was named for him and his wife, Rosaline LaForce Bellande (1821-1893), the granddaughter of Catherine Bourgeois LaFontaine, the Widow LaFontaine. Bellande arrived at Ocean Springs in1835.

James McConnell Anderson, artist, born on August 9, 1907 at New Orleans.

The Hanson-Wilson House, originally called Bay View, now called Shadowlawn and the bed and breakfast establishment of Bill and Nancy White Wilson on Shearwater Drive, was erected

Mrs. Julia Egan (1833-1907), fiery red-headed Irish lady, who once ran the post office, a store, and a boarding house, the Egan Cottage, on Jackson Avenue and Front Beach, expired.

Pioneer citizen and merchant, Robert Adrian VanCleave (1845-1908), a native of Hinds County, died on September 24, 1908. His name lives in perpetuity for an area in southwestern Jackson County for which a US Post Office was named in 1870.

The Eglin House, a large, comfortable, boarding house, was built on Washington Avenue by Amelia Krohn Eglin (1855-1916).

Dr. Jasper J. Bland’s Beach Hotel on Front Beach was enlarged by Burr & Bradford.

The First Baptist Church built a new sanctuary on the northwest corner of Porter and Bellande in the spring of 1909 and dedicated in early November 1909. John Burr (1875-1916) and Fred Bradford (1878-1951) were the contractors. The lot was donated by George W. Davis (1842-1914).(The Ocean Springs News, February 13, 1909, p. 1 and October 9, 1909, p. 5)

Maria Torney Shanahan (1832-1909), an 1847 Irish immigrant and wife of John Shanahan (1810-1892), passed on June 10, 1909. The Shanhans were pioneer settlers of Ocean Springs. In the 1890s, Mrs. Shanhan founded the Shanahan Hotel.(The Ocean Springs News, June 12, 1909, p. 5)

Construction commences on a new building for the Ocean Springs State Bank in the summer of 1909.

The years 1910-1919 were marked by continuous economic and population growth at Ocean Springs. In addition to pecans, citrus, and other agricultural products, seafood, charcoal, and naval stores production continued with vigor in this section. World WW I (1914-1918) saw wool prices inflate and shipbuilding at Moss Point bring further prosperity. The piney-woods, sheep farmers at Latimer, LaRue, and Vancleave profited accordingly shipping or selling their wool at Ocean Springs. The tourist industry was popular as ever, and a new hotel and several tourist homes were erected.

A large fire on Washington Avenue south of Porter in mid-November 1916, and crop damaging cold in the winter of 1917-1918 devastated the citrus orchards. Tropical cyclones in 1915 and 1916 were also harmful to the welfare of the region.

The Rose farm, which had recently been acquired in1909, by the H.D. Money family, an affluent planter clan from Holmes County, Mississippi, was enlarged and improved by manager, Vincent Beyer (1874-1920+).

The new building of the Ocean Springs State Bank designed by William Drago of New Orleans, was completed by contractor, Chevally & Furston, and accepted by H.F. Russell (1858-1940), building chairman, on January 18, 1910.

Pioneer settler, Arnaud Catchot (1834-1910), a native of Mahon, Minorca, passed on April 12, 1910. His union with Adele Ryan (1842-pre 1880), the daughter of Jerome Ryan and Euphrosine LaFontaine, produced a large family.

Judge Illing opened the Photo-Play Airdome, an open air silent movie theater, on the northeast corner of Porter and Washington, where the Illing House, a tourist home, had once stood.

In May 1910, Frank H. Bryan (1872-1936), an insurance executive from Missouri, contracted with J.A. Wieder (1877-1960) to erect a large Queen Anne residence on the northeast corner of Jackson Avenue and Ocean. This lovely home is extant at 406 Jackson Avenue.(The Ocean Springs News, May 14, 1910)

The Fort Maurepas (1699-1702) cornerstone found on the W.B. Schmidt estate by Robert Rupp (1850-1930), the caretaker.

Thomas I. Keys (1861-1931), first and only Black postmaster at Ocean Springs, ended his fourteen-year term in office in March.

The Boy Scouts were meeting at Ocean Springs with Mark E. Lee (1898-1990) as leader.(The Ocean Springs News, June 24, 1911)

Construction of Marshall Park by the Ocean Springs Civic Federation and L&N Railroad was commenced.

Jeremiah J. O’Keefe (1860-1911), expired on November 6, 1911. He and his wife, Alice Cahill O’Keefe (1864-1921), continued very successfully the teamster, livery, boarding house, and burial business commenced by his father, Edward O’Keefe (1815-1874).

Merchant and town marshall (1905-1910), Augustus von Rosambeau (1849-1912), an immigrant from northern Germany, expired. He may have possessed the first private street lamp in town at his Jackson Avenue residence.

Local entrepreneur, F.J. Lundy (1863-1912) passed on. He was born at Mobile and came to Ocean Springs circa 1889. Mr. Lundy once owned the Ocean Springs Hotel, a mercantile business on Washington Avenue and an elegant home on LaFontaine and Washington Avenue where the Powers-Latil residential complex is now situated.

The Paragon Saloon of G.E. Arndt (1857-1945) was moved west of its Washington Avenue and Robinson location.

Albert C. Gottsche (1873-1949) completed his new store building on Washington Avenue at Desoto, the former site of the Thomas I. Keys Store and US Post Office.

The Farmers and Merchants State Bank was chartered in February and led by C.E. Pabst (1851-1920), George E. Arndt (1857-1945), and Edwin R. Glasscock (1857-1913+). A two-story bank building was erected on the former site of the Paragon Saloon diagonally opposite the L&N Depot and on the west side of Washington Avenue opposite the Commercial Hotel.

The Ocean Springs Country Club was founded by Dr. H.B. Powell (1867-1949), A.E. Lee (1874-1936), and George E. Arndt (1857-1945) on 65-acres leased from the Rose Fram.

In July, Captain Francis O’Neill (1849-1936) acquired the J.J. Kuhn (1848-1925) estate on Front Beach. O’Neill was the retired general superintendent of the Chicago police force. He named his place "Glengarriff" for an Irish resort town near his birthplace on Bantry Bay, County Cork.

Thomas Eglin (1887-1914), flagman for the L&N Railroad, was murdered by masked bandits when the New York Limited was robbed at Gentilly, east of New Orleans.(The Daily Herald, July 25, 1914, p. 1, c. 2)

In October, J.K. Lemon Jr. (1914-1998) was born on Jackson Avenue in a Rosambeau rental cottage, which became the home of Marie Brou Bryan (1879-1957) in 1917. Mr. Lemon was a lifelong entrepreneur, respected community leader, and local historian. Has anyone loved Ocean Springs more?

The Ocean Springs Packing Company, a seafood-agricultural processing and canning plant on Biloxi Bay south of the L&N Railroad, opened for business in March by Louis A. Lundy (1876-1941), L. Morris McClure (1884-1940), and Joseph F. Zaehringer.(1881-1969).

The L&N Creosote plant at Gautier caught fire on August 13, 1915.(The Daily Herald, August 13, 1915, p.1)

Ernest A. Morris (1860-1946), an English immigrant and a retired candy manufacturer from Chicago, erected the Pines Hotel on the southwest corner of Washington Avenue and Ocean. It opened for business in October 1915.(The Jackson County Times,

Thomas E. Dabney (1885-1970), acquired The Ocean Springs News from A.E. Lee. He also published "Ocean Springs: Land Where Dreams Come True". Mr. Dabney was in the dynamiting business and owner of the Boscobel Dairy prior to his advent into the local newspaper business.

Edward A. Bellande (1897-1976), Ocean Springs first aviator to be born at Ocean Springs, becomes a student pilot of Glenn Curtiss at Buffalo, New York.

Two railcars of local wool weighing over 22,000 pounds were shipped to Savannah, Georgia from Ocean Springs.(The Ocean Springs News, June 15, 1916, p. 1, c. 5)

Shortly after the 4^th of July, a category three hurricane hit between Pascagoula and Ocean Springs. The Black Baptist church was fatally damaged and the pecan-citrus orchards of the Rose-Money Farm and C.E. Pabst (1851-1920) were severely shaken.

In July, Thomas E. Dabney (1885-1970) closed The Ocean Springs News and relocated to Pensacola. In the1930s, he was employed by The Times Picayune.

Albert E. Lee (1874-1936) published the first issue of The Jackson County Times in late July 1916.(The Jackson County Times, July 29, 1916, p. 1, c. 2) He had previously published The Progress (1897-1903) and The Ocean Springs News (1905-1915).

Mrs. Carrie Johnson Garrard (1886-1968) hired local contractor, J.A. Wieder (1877-1960), to erect a rental cottage on the northwest corner of Washington Avenue and Ocean.(The Jackson County Times, September 23, 1916, p. 1) In March 1943, Mark Oscar Joachim acquired the house from Mrs. Carrie G. Everhart.

In October 1916, Halstead Road was completed from County Road (Government Street) to the Beach.(The Jackson County Times, October 14, 1916)

On November 15, 1916, one of the most destructive fires in the history of Ocean Springs, known as "The Big Fire", commenced in the J.P. VanCleave building on the southeast corner of Washington and Porter. It consumed several buildings and cottages on Washington Avenue between Calhoun and Porter. Among the casualties of this conflagration were the fire hall of Ocean Springs Fire Company No. 1 and the Vahle House, a hostel, on the northwest corner of Washington and Calhoun.(The Jackson County Times, November 18, 1916, p. 1)

Parker Earle (1831-1917) died on January 12, at Pasadena, California. Mr. Earle , native of Vermont, was a horticulturist and entrepreneur. His enterprises at Ocean Springs from 1887-1892, included the development of a large farm north of Fort Bayou, which would become known as The Rose Farm; the founding of the Winter Park Land Improvement and Livestock Company; operating a ferry across Fort Bayou; and the erection of a large home on Fort Point which would become the Annie L. Benjamin (1848-1938) Place in 1902.

Miss Eliza Ames (1842-1917) expired on January 23, 1917. The Ames family came to America from Ireland in 1835. Miss Ames and her brothers nursed the sick and buried the dead in the Great Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878.(The Jackson Count Times, January 26, 1917, p. 1, c. 3)

Mrs. Annie L. Benjamin (1848-1938) of Milwaukee donated $500 towards the construction of a new fire hall on Washington Avenue.(The Jackson County Times, March 17, 1917, p. 5)

In April, the United States entered WWI, which is raging in Western Europe.

Captain John O’Keefe (1891-1985), field artillery, and 1^st Lt. V.G. Humphreys (1885-1942) were commissioned officers in the US Army at Leon Springs, Texas.(The Jackson County Times, December 1, 1917, p. 1, c. 5)

In October, Sidney J. Anderson (1867-1917), entrepreneur from New Orleans, who was active in the hotel, shipping, and mercantile business at Ocean Springs and Vancleave, died at Hot Springs, Arkansas.(The Jackson County Times, October 6, 1917, p. 5, c. 3)

The von Rosambeau cottage on Jackson Avenue was destroyed by fire.(The Jackson County Times, November 17, 1917, p. 1, c. 5)

In January 1918, the new fire hall on Washington Avenue, of Ocean Springs Fire Company No. 1, was dedicated. Built by contractor, Fred Bradford (1878-1951), the Spanish mission-style structure now serves the community as the senior citizens center.

Annette McConnell Anderson (1867-1964) acquired the "DePass" place on Biloxi Bay from George Ashman in May, commencing the residency of the George W. Anderson family of New Orleans here.

In June, the inactive New Beach Hotel was acquired by a New Orleans syndicate. Proprietor, Dr. Jasper J. Bland (1850-1932), had relocated to Vinton, Louisiana.

In October, Emile Ladnier Jr. (1894-1918) gave his life for this nation on a battlefield in France. American Legion Post No. 42 was named in his memory.

World War I ends in November 1918.

Judge Paul Myron W. Linebarger (1871-1939) and family, who resided at Hollingsworth Point on Davis Bayou from 1916 until 1919, left for Shanghai, China to resume working for Chinese revolutionary, Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925).(The Jackson County Times, May 3, 1919, p,. 5)

Captain June Poitevent (1837-1919) died at Ocean Springs. He came here in 1877, from Hancock County and built "Bay Home" on Lovers Lane. Poitevent was an entrepreneur with land holdings in Mexico, Florida, and Texas. He operated the Pearl Rivers, a steam packet, from Mississippi "lake" ports to New Orleans commencing in 1878.

The Shanahan Hotel on Washington Avenue and Calhoun burns on Christmas Eve, 1919.(The Jackson County Times, December 27, 1919)

J.K. Lemon Sr. (1870-1929) elected to the JXCO Board of Supervisors.

The Prohibition Era (1919-1933) begins.

The years between 1920 and 1929 were generally prosperous at Ocean Springs, but the decade closed on a disastrous tone for the entire nation with the Stock Market Crash in October 1929. Seafood, agriculture, and the L&N Railroad continued to be the main source of local employment. Citrus production began to decline, but pecans and horticulture in general did well.

The speculative land boom in Florida spilled over to the Mississippi coast as developers erected modern hotels at Biloxi and Gulfport, the Buena Vista, Edgewater, and Tivoli?. Ocean Springs was the site of Gulf Hills, a final destination resort, which offered golf and water sports in a magnificent sylvan setting. The town continued to be popular with local tourist, primarily New Orleans "excursionists", and "snow-birds" from the Midwest. With the progressive leadership of Beat Four Supervisor, J.K. Lemon (1870-1929), construction in the form of modern roads, bridges, and a seawall saw the infrastructure of the western Jackson County area improve dramatically.

"Miracle worker", Brother Isaiah (1847-1934), who was born John Cudney in Ontario Province, Canada, arrived in Jackson County. He and his disciples resided in the St. Martin community. Brother Isaiah left the area and eventually settled near Oroville, California, where he expired at "New Jerusalem".

This decade also saw the commencement of the political career of A.P. "Fred" Moran (1897-1967), who would become a large influence in the political arena of Jackson County in the next thirty years. Mr. Moran served the people of Beat Four as their supervisor from 1929 until his retirement in 1967.

An institution, which has brought much laud and tourism to our town, the Shearwater Pottery, was commenced by Peter Anderson (1901-1984) in January 1928. Peter’s pottery also laid the foundation for Mrs. George Walter Anderson’s aspiration that her three sons would become successful artists.

The name of County Road, an east-west thoroughfare, was changed to Government Street in February 1920, by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen. A petition presented by a group of citizens requesting the name change. The city government, headed by Mayor A.J. Catchot (1864-1954), deemed this request appropriate.(The Jackson County Times, January 24, 1920)

Former Mayor, oyster commissioner, contractor, and civic leader, John Duncan Minor (1863-1920) expired at Ocean Springs on May 8, 1920.

Pecan pioneer and German immigrant, Charles E. Pabst (1851-1920), expired on June 30,1920.

Matt Huber opened his drugstore in the Farmers & Merchants Bank Building in August. A pharmacy was previously run here by J.B. Lemon (1862-1919).

In August, the population of Ocean Springs was officially given by the US Census Bureau as 1732, a gain of about 300 over 1910.(The Jackson County Times, August 14, 1920, p. 3)

The Commercial Hotel, built in 1880 as The VanCleave Hotel, was destroyed by fire on October 26, 1920. It was situated opposite the L&N Depot on the southeast corner of Washington Avenue and Robinson. H.F. Russell (1858-1940) was the proprietor at the time of the conflagration.(The Jackson County Times, October 30, 1920)

Corsican immigrant, Antoine Bertuccini (1844-1921), who founded the French Hotel, expired in March.

Scot immigrant, James H. Edwards (1893-1950), acquired the French Hotel from Marie G. Bertuccini (1863-1930) in June.

In June, Charles Dryden (1880-1931), prominent sportswriter for many national journals, suffered a paralytic stroke at Chicago, and came to Ocean Springs in the fall to recover. He stayed in the Rosambeau cottage on Calhoun Avenue where his sister, Louise D. Davenport, cared for him for the next ten years.

In January, the Ocean Springs Improvement League was formed to promote tourism and better the community.

Brother Isaiah (1847-1934) and entourage arrived in Jackson County to preach and administer to the sick and afflicted.(The Daily Herald, June 10, 1922, p. 3)

In May, the Ocean Springs Fire Company No. 1 acquired a motorized chemical fire engine.(The Jackson County Times, May 13, 1922, p. 5) In July, the Volunteer Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 agreed to consolidate with the Ocean Springs Fire Company No. 1.(The Jackson County Times, July 29, 1922, p. 5)

Harry R. Lee (1903-1951) joined The Jackson County Time in a mechanical and reportorial capacity after attending the Nashville School of Typography and interning at Joplin, Missouri.(The Jackson County Times, July 8, 1922, p. 5)

Caspar Vahle (1869-1922), former liveryman and ice dealer, expired at Gulfport in late July.(The Daily Herald, July 24, 1922, p. 4)

Jackson County’s first woman attorney, Elinore S. Babendreer (1901-1984+), of Ocean Springs was admitted to the bar in August. She married Walter D. Moore in 1941, at Pinewood at present day 601 Pine Hills Road, the home of her mother, Dr. Estelle Turner Babendreer (1871-1958).(Jackson County Times, August 12, 1922, p. 1) Her brother, Eric Babdendreer (1903-1975), also practiced law here before relocating to Memphis.

Walter S. Lindsay (1888-1975), the son-in-law of Mrs. Annie L. Benjamin, acquired the old Staples place on Lovers Lane and refurbished it. J.K. Lemon (1914-1998) and Eleanora B. Lemon acquired it in 1971, from Mr. Lindsay of Milwaukee. Mr. Lemon was permitted by Lindsay to use the name "Shore Acres" which had been the designation of the Ocean Springs estate of Lindsay’s mother-in-law, Annie L. Benjamin (1848-1938).

Jeremiah J. O’Keefe was born in July at the O’Keefe home on Porter Avenue. During WW II, he was a Marine fighter pilot in the South Pacific Theater and gained "ace" status for destroying seven Japanese aircraft while flying combat missions.(The History of Jackson County, Mississippi, 1989, p. 302)

The Louisa B. Bartlett-F.E. Lee home at present day 212 Washington Avenue (now the Redmann-Shipman House) was destroyed by fire. Noted American writer, George Washington Cable (1844-1925), her son-in-law, owned the cottage from 1876 until 1890. Mrs. Bartlett (1823-1889) of New Orleans organized the Presbyterian Church here in the1880s, as well as The Ladies Village Improvement Society. Her civic improvement group fenced the Evergreen Cemetery in 1878.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, March 29, 1878, p. 3)

Louis H. Sullivan (1850-1924), American architect called "the father of the skyscraper", and former part-time, resident of East Beach expired on April 24^th.

Gustav R. Nelson (1896-1970), a Swedish immigrant horticulturist, residing east of Ocean Springs developed the concept of protecting fruit trees by "freezing" them as the air temperature dropped below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.(The Daily Herald, April 28, 1939, p. 7)

The Ocean Springs Rotary Club was formally organized on May 14, 1924 at the Pines Hotel on Washington Avenue. Frank E. Schmidt (1877-1954) was elected the inaugural president of the organization.(The Jackson County Times, May 17, 1924, p. 1)

Concrete paving of US 90 between Ocean Springs and Pascagoula had reached as far as Mrs. W.R. Stuarts place (Government and M.L. King Jr.) by August 1924.(The Jackson County Times, August 16, 1924, p. 5)

B.F. Joachim (1853-1925), produce retailer and founder of the Builder’s Supply Company in 1905, expired at New Orleans.(The Jackson County Times, January 17, 1925)

Elizabeth McCauley Stuart (1840-1925) and her former slave and later faithful servant and companion, Tempy Burton (1821-1925), expired in January and March respectively. Aunt Tempy Burton was the oldest person in Jackson County at the time of her demise.(The Daily Herald, January 25, 1925, p. 1 and The Jackson County Times, March 7, 1925, p. 5)

Gideon N. Tillman (1872-1925) prominent building contractor expired in April.(The Jackson County Times, April 4, 1925)

The Old Spanish Trail between Ocean Springs and Pascagoula was open for vehicular traffic in late April, with the exception of the underpass on the L&N Railroad at Hilda, west of Gautier.(The Daily Herald, May 2, 1925, p. 1)

Elias S. Davis (1859-1925), long time Washington Avenue merchant expired in June.(The Jackson County Times, June 13, 1925)

Gulf Hills, a family resort featuring golf and marine recreational activities situated north of Ocean Springs, was chartered by: Allan B. Crowder, William E. Applegate, Ralph R. Root, H.W. Branigar, and Clarence W. Gormly.(The Jackson County Times, September 19, 1925, p. 2)

The Community Center-American Legion Hall at Marble Springs Park on Iberville, completed in the Fall of 1925. It was demolished in September 1996, after years of litigation and demolition by neglect.

Author and former summer resident, George Washington Cable (1844-1925), expired at Northhampton, Massachusetts.

Western Union planned to open an office in a new building on Washington Avenue to be erected by H.F. Russell & Son. The Russells planed to build adjacent to the O’Keefe Brothers service station and real estate office on the corner of Washington and Robinson.(The Daily Herald, October 27, 1925, p. 1) Sanborn Maps indicate that the Russell Building here was never built!

Fred E. Lee (1874-1932) commenced construction of "Casa Flores" on Davis Bayou and Old Spanish Trail. This Spanish colonial home is now called "Delcastle" It was built by the Jensen Brothers from a Gordon Hite design.(The Jackson County Times, November 21, 1925, p. 5)

In February, Standard Oil commenced construction of a gas station on the southeast corner of Washington and Government, formerly Lundy’s Corner. The total investment cost $30,000. Zanca later owned the property.(The Jackson County Times, February 13, 1926)

First street paving program proposed with Washington Avenue and portions of Porter, Jackson, Cleveland, Government, and Front Beach, included.(The Jackson County Times, March 6, 1926, p. 5)

The F.J. Lundy (1863-1912) House, called Haven-on-the-Hill, on Washington and LaFontaine, was destroyed by fire in mid-April. Mrs. Mignon C. Lundy (1877-1957) had relocated to Townshend, Vermont and the house was abandoned.(The Jackson County Times, April 17, 1926, p. 1)

Forest Hills Subdivision created on the former site of Colonel W.R. Stuart property by Daniel J. Gay and Associates.(The Jackson County Times, April 26, 1926, p. 1)

The Vancleave Store, located on the east side of Washington Avenue between Robinson and Desoto, was erected in April 1894 north of the residence of former proprietor, R.A. VanCleave (1840-1908). It burned on October 11, 1926. While in the possession of H.F. Russell (1858-1940).(The Jackson County Times, October 16, 1926, p. 1)

The Bailey Building was completed by Kean & Company of Gulfport for Dr. O.L. Bailey (1870-1938) in late July. Dr. Bailey operated his drug store and medical practice from the new structure on Washington Avenue. Realtor, F.E. Lee (1874-1932), rented an office space in the building.(The Jackson County Times, July 24, 1926, p. 5 and October 2, 1912) We know this edifice today as Lovelace Drugs owned by the McCall family.

The Town of Ocean Springs acquired the Peoples Water Works for $6500.(The Jackson County Times, December 8, 1926, p. 1)

In early December, Frederick Mason Weed (1850-1926), "the Yankee Mayor" of Ocean Springs (1899-1912) and a native of Hinesburg,Vermont, died. Mayor Weed also co-founded the Ocean Springs State Bank. His remains were interred at Milton, Vermont.

In January, Hartmann & Clark Brothers of Peoria, Illinois won a contract to pave several streets in downtown Ocean Springs.(The Jackson County Times, January 8, 1927, p. 1) The Moore Construction Company of Biloxi was awarded another paving contract in April to pave Martin Avenue, a portion of Porter, Middle Avenue, and a part of Magnolia Street.(The Jackson County Times, April 16, 1927, p. 1, c. 3)

Edward P. Guice (1899-1971) erected a new ice plant on Jackson Avenue commencing in February. Architect Bruce Tolar offices here now.

The paved highway between Biloxi and Ocean Springs was completed in late March.(The Jackson County Times, March 19, 1927, p. 2, c. 3)

H. Minor Russell (1892-1940) erected a large Mediterranean style home on Front Beach and the west side of Martin Avenue. It was designed by Shaw & Woleben of Gulfport and built by J.A. Wieder at a cost of $40,000.(The Jackson County Times, April 9, 1927, p. 5) The H.M. Russell home burned in August 1937.(The Jackson County Times, August 28, 1937, p. 2)

In September, the new school Public School, situated on Government Street, commenced classes. It was built on land donated to the Town of Ocean Springs by Daniel J. Gay (1870-1949), and named the Mary C. O’Keefe Center of Culture and Arts in December 1998.

A Black public school was also erected on the 3.7-acre lot donated by Gus Nelson on present day School Street.

The 18-hole golf course designed by Jack Daray, of the Olympic Fields golf course at Chicago, opened at Gulf Hills.

Shearwater Pottery commenced by Peter Anderson (1901-1884) in January.(The Jackson County Times, January 21, 1928, p. 3)

McLeod Lodge No. 424 F.&A.M. Masonic Temple on Government Street and Bellande was dedicated on June 6, 1928.

In July, test pilings were driven by the Fuller Construction Company of Memphis for the $750,000 War Memorial Bridge connecting Ocean Springs with Biloxi.

Jitney Jungle, first "modern" meat market and store opened in the north half of the Bailey Building (now known as the Lovelace Drugstore).(The Jackson County Times, August 11, 1928)

Alfred B. Stuart (1860-1928), dairyman and cattle breeder, expired at New Orleans in October.(The Jackson County Times, October 4, 1928, p. 3)

The H. Minor Russell (1892-1942) home and cottage, on Jackson Avenue were destroyed in a daylight conflagration on Jackson Avenue. The large fire also claimed the homes of Mrs. Carrie E. Dancer and C.E. Bennett. Mr. Russell’s cottage was occupied by John Tue. Had the Biloxi Fire Department not come to the scene, the entire block might have been destroyed.(The Jackson County Times, December 15, 1928, p. 1)

Seawall on Front Beach completed by the Miller-Hutchinson Company of Lake Charles, Louisiana.

A.P. "Fred" Moran (1897-1967) elected to his first term as Beat 4 Supervisor in May 1929, succeeding the late J.K. Lemon (1870-1929). He defeated W.S. VanCleave (1871-1938), F.E. Schmidt (1877-1954), and Jerry Oliver.(The Jackson County Times, June 1, 1929, p. 1)

Pilots, Edward A. Bellande (1897-1976), a native of Ocean Springs, and Charles A. Lindbergh (1902-1974), flew the first TWA passenger airplane from Los Angeles to New York.

The Reverend Lowndes A. Darsey (1849-1929) of the Methodist church expired in late October.(The Daily Herald, October 28, 1929, p. 1)

October 1929, Stock market crash.

New bridge erected across Fort Bayou by the Miller-Hutchinson Company of Lake Charles, Louisiana. It was opened for public use on October 26, 1929.(The Jackson County Times, October 26, 1929, p. 2)

For the majority of Americans, this decade may have been the most economically miserable of the Twentieth Century. The period beginning with the stock market crash in October 1929, until the commencement of WW II in late 1939, was dismal at best. These hard times became known as "The Depression". In 1933, President-elect, Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) and Congress created legislation to provide relief from this economic calamity through programs of agriculture and business regulation, inflation, price stabilization, and public works. Some of the more familiar New Deal programs were: the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC); the Public Works Administration; Tennessee Valley Authority; the Works Progress Administration, the Social Security System; the Federal Communications Commission; and the Security and Exchange Commission.

Locally, the community benefited from several of these government induced economic programs. In 1933, the Civil Works Administration had over two hundred men employed in mosquito control, oyster planting, and street and public building beatification. In 1933, the Anderson brothers of Shearwater Pottery were selected by Chairman Elsworth Woodward of the Region Six Public Works of Art Project, to create murals for the Ocean Springs Public School. In 1938, A CCC camp was erected east of town, which built the Magnolia State Park. In 1939, sewing rooms were established by the Works Progress Administration, which employed nine women at Ocean Springs making garments, quilts, and rugs.

On the negative side, the Farmers & Merchants State Bank failed in 1933. T.W. Milner was appointed the receiver of this financial institution. Also the tourist trade slackened and demolition, bankruptcy, and fire reduced the town to only one hotel, the French Hotel of J.H. Edwards. In 1932, Dr. Powell’s Bayou Inn, became the Fort Bayou estate of Emma M. Logan of Shreveport, Louisiana.

Lurline Shrieber Hall who grew up in Ocean Springs on East Porter during the Depression remembers these difficult times well. Her recollection follows:

In 1929, came the crash although we did not feel it until later. I remember going uptown, probably to Gottsche’s Store for Mama and coming home with the news that the Farmers and Merchants Bank had closed. I wanted to know if we had lost our money and she said our money (what little we had) was in the other bank (Ocean Springs State Bank).

In 1930, the truth began to come out. They were called the "Troubled Thirties", and "Brother, can you spare a dime?" was the password. Mr. Gottshce put a sign in his front window-"NRA-We Do Our Part". Those fortunate to own a radio listened to Amos n’ Andy", Kate Smith, Walter Winchell, Eddie Cantor, and Rudy Vallee. We read cartoons such as, "Little Orphan Annie", "Gasoline Alley", and "Dick Tracy". When our folks could "spare a dime", we went to the picture show to see the Marx Brothers, Bella Lugosi, as Count Dracula, and the giant gorilla, King Kong, and any and all musicals.

The came the New Deal when Roosevelt was elected. The Civil Works Administration (CWA) hit Ocean Springs and later the Works Progress Administration (WPA). That perked the town up enough to tide us over until WW II.(Lurline Schrieber Hall, letter dated June 11 ,1999 from Letohatchie, Alabama)

The decade saw a major technological advance in 1939, when a German made the first rocket powered flight and the jet propulsion engine to power an aircraft was developed by an American.

The War Memorial Bridge across the Bay of Biloxi connecting Ocean Springs with Biloxi via US 90 (The Old Spanish Trail), was dedicated in June.

In August, Mrs. Marie Gouax Bertuccini Vance (1863-1930), French immigrant and co-founder of the French Hotel, passed on at her Jackson Avenue residence.(The daily Herald, September 1, 1930, p. 2)

Theo Bechtel (1863-1931) died on January 17^th at the Bechtel home on Porter Avenue. He was a native of Stauton, Illinois and pecan pioneer. Becthel developed the Success Pecan and experimented with other varieties. He was a former president of the Southern Pecan Growers’ Association, chairman of the South Central Pecan Marketing Association, and prominent in the Coast Pecan Marketing Association.(The Daily Herald, January 19, 1931, p. 1, c. 2)

On St. Valentine’s Day, Charles Dryden (1860-1931) died on Calhoun Avenue in the Rosambeau cottage. Mr. Dryden was a national personality and baseball sportswriter for many major journals. He vacationed here during the off-season enjoying the spectacular local fishing. He also wrote several works of fiction. Dryden’s corporal remains were sent to his birthplace, Monmouth, Illinois, for burial.

The Pines Hotel on Washington Avenue at Ocean, burned on May 5, 1932. It was owned by Mrs. Victor Levy at the time of its destruction.

Dr. Jasper J. Bland, founder of the Beach Hotel, expired at Beaumont, Texas on March 30, 1932..

The Dr. Don C. Case-H.F. Russell (1858-1940) home on the southwest corner of Washington and Porter was badly damaged in a fire on February 11, 1933. It was subsequently demolished.(see JXCO, Ms. Chancery Court Cause No. 5606-December 1934)

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) became President on March 4^th.

The Farmers and Merchants State Bank was put into liquidation with T.W. Milner as receiver.

The Federal government repealed Prohibition.

More than two hundred men were at work in Ocean Springs on various Civil Works Administration activities. Mosquito control projects supervised by Horace Gladney (1894-1975) utilized more than half of the labor force. Others were involved in planting oyster shells, refurbishing the public school grounds, or working on streets.(The Jackson County Times, December 16, 1933, p. 1)

1934

On February 29^th, beer and wine were legal to vend in Mississippi. Ocean Springs was not affected since alcoholic beverages had been sold here for some time.(The Jackson County Times, March 3, 1934, p. 1)

Mrs. Annie L. Benjamin expired at Milwaukee in early March. She had wintered at Ocean Springs for many years at "Shore Acres" and owned the "Benjamin Castle" on Prospect Avenue and Lake Michigan, where her fine art collection hung.(The Milwaukee Journal, March 7, 1938)

In April, Robert C. Crysell (1874-1934), an L&N employee, was killed in an accident while loading a rail car.(The Jackson County Times, April 21, 1934, p. 3)

The new athletic field on Government Street, and east of the public school was built as a CWA project for $5800, on the former Sigerson farm. The Terry Oilers of Ocean Springs beat Gulfport 11 to 3 on April 22^nd in a baseball game, the inaugural sporting contest.(The Jackson County Times, January 20, 1934, p. 1 and April 28, 1934, p. 1)

Dorothy Dell (1914-1934), nee Dorothy Dell Goff, former resident and Hollywood starlet, was killed on June 8 th, in an automobile accident at Pasadena, California.

The Methodist congregation at Ocean Springs commenced calling their church, St. Paul’s, in mid-June.(The Jackson County Times, June 16, 1934, p. 3)

In June, the "Fish and Bird" tile mural of James McConnell Anderson (1907-1998) and Peter Anderson (1903-1984) and Bob Anderson’s mural, "Ocean Springs: Past and Present", were installed in the Ocean Springs Public School building on Government Street.(The Jackson County Times, June 9, 1934, p. 1)

Brother Isaiah (1847-1934), nee John Cudney, expired on July 20, 1934, at "New Jerusalem" near Oroville, California. Brother Isaiah lived for a short duration in the St. Martin community in the 1920s, where he preached and cured the afflicted.

In July a Little Theatre Guild was organized at Ocean Springs. H. Pitts Flateau, president; Mrs. George W. Walter Anderson, vice president; Mrs. Chester Davis, treasurer; and Miss Elsie McFarland, secretary.

Marcus F. Shanteau Sr. (1905-1975) opened his automobile repair and maintenance service on Government Street. He initially sold Sinclair gasoline.

Dave’s Place owned by Walter S. Davidson (1888-1950) opened for business on Washinton Avenue in the former Russell Beer Parlor. He served Eagle and Pabst’s Blue Ribbon beers.(The Jackson County Times, May 4, 1935, p. 3) He later ran a feed store on Bowen Avenue.(The Gulf Coast Times, December 1, 1950, p. 1)

Professor James Lynch (1852-1935), probably a native of County Cavin, Ireland, expired. Mr. Lynch was a merchant, ran a private school, and served as the town clerk from 1919 until 1929.(The Jackson County Times, July 6, 1935)

In July, the White House, formerly the Artesian House, was demolished by Charles Braun of Biloxi for its heart pine lumber. A.E. "Fred" Lewis (1862-1933) had erected this small hostel on the southwest corner of Jackson and Porter in 1891.(The Jackson County Times, July 28, 1936, p. 3)

Schuyler Poitevent (1875-1936) expired at New Orleans in October. Mr. Poitevent was educated at Tulane and the University of Virginia.. He was a scholarly man and wrote several books on Colonial history, which were never published. Poitevent was convinced that Fort Maurepas (1699-1702), the French Beachhead of Louisiana, had been situated on his bay front estate on Lovers Lane.(The Daily Herald, October 16, 1936, p. 6)

The Mill Dam bridge was rebuilt by Supervisor A.P. Moran.(The Jackson County Times, January 25, 1936 p. 1)

Iola Y. Davidson (1883-1963), wife of Judge O.D. Davidson (1872-1938), became the first woman elected as an alderman in the city government. She represented Ward 2.

In August, the Jackson County Board of Supervisors acquired for $20,000, over one-hundred acres of land from W.E. Applegate Jr. in Section 33, T7S-R8W, east of Ocean Springs for a state recreational area, which would become Magnolia State Park.(JXCO Bd. Of Supervisors, Minute Bk. 17, pp. 152-153)

The first contingent of CCC men from Camp No. 5 at New Augusta, arrived at their camp east of Ocean Springs, to commence work on what would become the Magnolia State Park.(The Moss Point Advertiser, March 31, 1938)

Dr. Oscar Lee Baily (1870-1938), pioneer physician and native of Conehatta, Newton County, Mississippi, expired on June 21, 1938.(The Jackson County Times, June 25,1938)

In October, legendary L&N Railroad engineer, Jefferson Davis Holloway (1861-1938) expired at his Washington Avenue residence. Jeff was known for the punctuality of his train arrivals and departures on the Ocean Springs-New Orleans run.(

In November, the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation was incorporated.

In January, the Theo Bechtel home, formerly Mrs. A.E. Holcomb’s, "Hollywood", was destroyed by fire. Mrs. Charlotte Franco Cochran (1864-1939) expired at her home on Robinson Avenue during the conflagration.(The Jackson County Times, January 14, 1939, p. 1)

A.P. Moran (1897-1967), Beat 4 Supervisor, commenced work on the Inner Harbor with the cooperation of Annette McConnell Anderson (1867-1964), Charles E. Clark (1879-1945), the Rehage Dairy, and the owners of the Parlin property.(The Jackson County Times, March 18, 1939, p. 1) The 200-foot long dock was built and completed in early September by the county bridge crew of Russell Carver (1888-1961), foreman.(The Jackson County times, August 26, 1939, p. 2, c. 3)

Joe Beaugez (1915-1998) went to Dothan, Alabama to pitch in the Alabama-Florida League.(The Jackson County times, March 25, 1939, p. 4)

Charles J. Steelman (1889-1957), former manager of Viator’s Cash Store, purchased the meat market of Lynn Johnson, the K.C. Meat Market, on Washington Avenue and went into business for himself.(The Jackson County Times, March 25, 1934, p. 4)

The dial telephone system came to Ocean Springs after a new building was erected to house the equipment was completed on Government Street adjacent to the Ocean Springs State Bank.(The Daily Herald, March 13, 1939, p. 7, c. 6)

The first commemoration of Iberville’s Landing of April 1699, was held at Ocean Springs on March 19, 1939. A.P. Moran (1897-1967) portrayed Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur d’Iberville (1661-1706).

Gustav R. Nelson (1896-1970), a native of Upsala, Sweden and 1911 emigre, grew a 2.75 pound lemon on his 85-acre tract, Nelson’s Tropical Gardens, east of Ocean Springs. The Gus Nelson lemon was larger than that listed as the world’s biggest by Robert Ripley’s "Believe It or Not"(The Daily Herald, April 28, 1939, p. 7)

WW II began on September 9^th, when Germany invaded Poland.

Willie F. Dale (1899-1990) acquired the J.J. O’Keefe Home on Porter Avenue from the Home Owner’s Loan Corporation for $3850, on December 2^nd.(JXCO Land Deed Bk. 74, pp. 158-160)

WW II and recovery from its widespread destruction and death consumed most of this decade. Americans went back to work in great numbers supplying its military forces and that of its allies on four continents. The war ended in September 1945, after the atomic bomb was dropped on two Japanese metropolitan areas issuing in the Nuclear Age. The Iron Curtain went up in eastern Europe and the Cold War with the Soviet Union began as the decade ended.

At Ocean Springs, many young men went into the military and several didn’t return to its oak and magnolia-shaded lanes, lazy bayous, and quaint cottages of their recent adolescence. For those who served and especially those who gave their lives in North Africa, Europe, and in the South Pacific, we will always be grateful.

The September Storm in 1947 wrought much damage to the waterfront here. Gulf Hills had a new owner and manager in Dick Waters, who came from Florida, and introduced the Dude Ranch concept to the resort. The decade closed on a positive note with the completion of Freedom Field and the Community Center.

Hiram F. Russell (1858-1940), long time businessman and entrepreneur and once reputed to be the wealthiest man in Jackson County, expired on May 5^th. Mr. Russell came to Ocean Springs from Yazoo City in 1881, to work for R.A. VanCleave (1840-1908). He served as postmaster (1885-1889) and then became active in real estate, insurance, and furniture-sewing machine-stationary retailing. His daughter, Ethel Virginia Russell (1899-1957), married A.P. "Fred" Moran (1897-1967) in 1923.

The Reverend Wiliam James Hewson II (b. 1917), the son of William J. Hewson (1876-1930) and Lydia L. Friar (1895-1968), and believed to have been the first native born ordained Roman Catholic priest, said his first solemn high mass at St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church on May 26, 1940.(The Jackson County Times, June 1, 1940, p. 1)

In June, Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation launched a C3 cargo vessel, Exchequer, its first vessel and the first all-welded cargo ship built in America.

Postmaster and former Mayor, L. Morris McClure (1884-1940), died in the post office on October 22nd.(The Jackson County Times, October 26, 1940, p. 1)

Magnolia State Park, the last of ten State parks, opened in September.

In November, H. Minor Russell (1892-1940) expired at New London, Connecticut.

A drive was built around the Inner Harbor in February.(The Jackson County Times, February 15, 1941, p. 1)

The E.W. Illing Jr.’s canning plant, formerly the Ocean Springs Packing Company, closed.(The Jackson County Times, February 1, 1941, p. 1)

Nola Nance Oliver published, "The Gulf Coast of Mississippi".

In September, the Heffner-Cosper-Dale Cottages were erected by Oscar E. Heffner (1893-1988) on the Holcomb-Bechtel tract situated on Porter and Rayburn. Frank Galle was the local building contractor. The cottages were built to alleviate the housing shortage created by Keesler Field at Biloxi.

J.C. Wright (1879-1941), brother-in-law of H.L. Hunt, and founder of the Fort Bayou Dairy, expired. The Wright-Hunt tract was once the pecan orchard of Dr. Homer L. Stewart. It now consists of the US Post Office and the Maurepas Landing housing development.

The Civil Conservation Corp Camp No. 1437, which built Magnolia State Park and is now the site of the Gulf Island National Seashore headquarters, was dissolved in October.(The Jackson County Times, November 1, 1941, p. 1, c. 3)

WW II commenced for the USA when a Japanese naval task force under Admiral Yamamoto bombed Pearl Harbor, H.I. on December 7, 1941.

Vice-president, Henry A. Wallace (1888-1965), ate Fred J. Ryan’s (1886-1943) stuffed crabs at Ryan’s on Bowen Avenue. Mr. Ryan’s restaurant began as the F&H Bar during the Depression with Fred Ryan and Henry Endt as proprietors.(The Jackson County Times, May 5, 1934) It became a restaurant run by his wife, E. Florence. Domning (1889-1954).

V.G. Humphrey (1885-1942) expired in January. He was president of the Ocean Springs State Bank and United Poultry Producers at the time of his demise. Grant Humphrey had been principal of the Vancleave High School, Rotarian, and Mason.(The Daily Herald, January 26, 1942, p. 6)

In February, The British War Relief Society met and planned means of raising money to purchase garden seed to be sent to England.(The Jackson County Times, February 21, 1942, p. 4)

John Mitchell (1915-1963) and spouse, Georgia, built a concrete house on their Cleveland Avenue lot.(The Jackson County Times, March 21, 1942, p. 4)

In April, distance runner, Donald Snyder, son of Chester A. Snyder, and a student at Oklahoma City University, won the mile, 880-yard run, and 440-yard dash in record time at Wichita, Kansas. Snyder would later set other AAU distance running records.

In May, Merchant Marine Lt. (jg) Harry W. Benedict Jr.(1913-1942), who lived here from 1923-1926, was killed at the mouth of the Mississippi River when his cargo vessel was torpedoed by a German U-Boat.(The Jackson County Times, May 23, 1942, p. 1) In 1926, his mother, Mrs. Harry W. Benedict had won a $15 gold piece in a contest to rename the Gottsche Store. Her successful appellation was Gottshe’s Thrity-Nifty.(

The L&N Railroad began using diesel-powered locomotives to pull its passenger trains on the Mississippi coast.(The Jackson County Times, May 23, 1942, p. 1)

Matt Huber 1892-1968) and wife, Myrtle Huber, relocated to Mobile were he became manager of the Albright & Woods Drugstore.(The Jackson County Times, July 25, 1942, p. 4)

In October, A.P. Moran (1897-1967), Hermes F. Gautier (1895-1969), John T. Powers (1887-1971), and Herbert P. Beaugez (1895-1954) organized the Purity Seafood Company and operated a seafood factory at the foot of Jackson Avenue with a lease from Antonio "Toy" Catchot (1868-1948).

The Terry Courts were erected on Front Beach and Martin by Henry J. Terry (1890-1975). They were removed in the 1960s to build the d’Iberville Apartments.

The French Hotel on Front Beach became known as the Edwards House. Mrs. Amelia Edwards (1893-1979) was a kind and excellent hostess and ran the hostel accordingly. The Ocean Springs Rotary Club met here regularly doing the 1940s.

In February, Henrietta Bellew opened a café, Henrietta’s, on Government Street which would last for over fifty-years and become a legendary landmark.

Local dentist, Dr. Anton Hrabe (1882-1943), expired in late May.(The Jackson County Times, May 28, 1943, p. 1)

The Magnolia State Park was used to bivouac British sailors awaiting their ships from Ingalls at Pascagoula during the summer of 1943. Several limeys sparked and courted the local lassies.

In September, Robert W. Hamill (1863-1943) passed on at his home in Clarendon Hills, Illinois. Mr. Hamill founded the Hamill Farm at Fontainebleau in the early 1900s, and resided at Belle Fontaine Beach for many years.

In October, Chester A. Snyder purchased the Stokes Laundry.(The Jackson County Times, October 16, 1943, p. 1, c.4)

In February, K.W. Burnham, president of the Board of Supervisors, conveyed approximately 50 acres of land at Magnolia State Park to the State of Mississippi.(JXCO Land Deed Bk. 88, pp. 431-432)

On February 10^th, Geraldine Smith, daughter of Tempy Stuart Smith, made her debut at Carnegie Hall in NYC.

U.S. Army, 3^rd Air Force at Gulfport Field, located a Crash and Rescue boat base in the Inner Harbor to monitor bombing ranges in the Gulf of Mexico and assist downed flyers.

In January, Germany surrended on May 7, 1945.

Miss Mary C. O’Keefe (1893-1980) resigned from her position as Superintendent of Public Schools. She was replaced by Mr. S.S. Wall.

Japan surrendered to end WW II on September 2, 1945.

Albert "Moochie" McGinnis (1906-1945), longtime deliveryman for Gottsche’s Thrifty-Nifty, expired in November.

Fast passenger service, the L&N Railroad’s Hummingbird, was inaugurated.

James B. Smith and Richard A. Waters (d. 1989) acquired Gulf Hills from the Branigar Corporation.(The Jackson County Times, January 11, 1947, p. 1)

In January, Captain Antonio J. Catchot (1864-1954) retired from the L&N Railroad after sixty-four years of service.(The Jackson County Times, January 11, 1947, p. 1)

In January, the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce was organized. A.P. "Fred" Moran (1897-1967) of the Ocean Springs Lumber Company was elected the first president. Board members were: Dr. Frank O. Schmidt (1902-1975), L.C. Wiswell, Albert C. Gottsche (1873-1949), Mayor Albert Westbrook (1900-1980), Harry R. Lee (1903-1951), Wendell Palfrey (1896-1956), Henry Girot (1887-1953), and J.K. Lemon (1914-1998).(The Daily Herald, January 28, 1949, p. 3)

In March, the old F.E. Schmidt residence on Washington Avenue owned by H.V. Hayden was damaged by fire. The upper floor and roof were completely destroyed while the lower floor suffered considerable water damage.(The Jackson County Times, march 29, 1947, p. 1)

In August, the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory held its first summer session in the former CCC camp building at Magnolia State Park. Courses were taught in Field Botany and Faunistic Zoology. Dr. R.L. Caylor of Delta State was the first director.(The Jackson County Times,June 28, 1947, p. 1)

The eye of the September Storm of the 18^th and 19^th passed over New Orleans, but left the Mississippi coast in turmoil from its wide destructive path.

Edgar P. Guice (1899-1971) invented a shrimp mould.(The Jackson County Times, November 28, 1947, p. 1)

Judge E.W. Illing (1870-1947), founder of the legendary Illing Theatre, expired.

United Gas began natural gas service to Ocean Springs in late June.(The Jackson County Times, June 18, p. 1)

A.P. "Fred" Moran (1897-1967) was elected President of the JXCO Board of Supervisors.

In October, the Builders Supply Company was commenced by Andy L. Page (1912-1991) at Washington and Reynoir.(The Jackson County Times, October 24, 1948, p. 1)

Dutchess Club organized to aid in the charitable and civic welfare in and around Ocean Springs.

Canadian born, Dr. Henry Bradford Powell (1867-1949), founder of the Bayou Inn and long time resident, expired.

The Volunteer Fire Department Company erected a fire station on Porter. Bernard Beaugez was the president of the organization and Thomas Galle drew the plans for the structure.(The Jackson County Times, December 10, 1948, p. 1)

Last issue of The Jackson County Times was published in February, as the local journal became known as The Gulf Coast Times.

Albert C. Gottsche (1873-1949) expired in March. Mr. Gottsche worked for the Davis Brothers until 1910, when he went into business for himself. He built a building on the southwest corner of Washington and Desoto in 1912, now owned by Blossman Gas. At this site, A.C. Gottsche ran his legendary grocery store until his demise.(The Daily Herald, March 18, 1949, p. 6)

In May, workmen under the supervision of Art Fifield (1881-1962), and Pascagoula building contractor, J.T. Gibson, were well into the construction of the new Community House on Washington Avenue.(The Gulf Coast Times, May 6, 1949, p. 1) Fred S. Bradford (1878-1951) and Marshall Keys (1895-1963) were the masons for the project.

In late May, Bob Anderson’s "Folk Tales and Fantasy", a linoleum block print and wood carving exhibit, was shown at the Brooklyn Museum.(The Gulf Coast Times, May 27, 1949, p. 1)

A portion of the East Beach Seawall was constructed in August.

In October, an iron lung was acquired by the city for emergency uses. The device was to be utilized in the event of polio, drowning, electrical shock, and cardiovascular trauma.(The Daily Herald, October 15, 1949, p. 4)

On November 4^th, the first night football game ever played at Ocean Springs occurred at recently completed Freedom Field. Coach Clay Boyd (1911-1974) led the Greyhounds to a 27-13 win over Pass Christian. The aerial combo of Larry Williams to F. Kiernan was effective for three scores.(The Daily Herald, November 7, 1949, p. 9)

The new St. Alphonsus parochial grade school opened in early September 1949. Bishop R.O. Gerow dedicated the structure on December 5^th. It cost $35,000-$41,000 and was built by the Collins Brothers and Mitchell Brothers.(The Daily Herald, September 3., 1949, p. 10 and The Gulf Coast Times, December 10, 1949, p. 1)
 

NEXT 1950 - 1969