Today’s post is the second in our reprint of the 1941 publication Mississippi Tourist Guide, which focused on the many attractions along Mississippi’s newly paved highways. (Check out the Intro if you missed it.)
THE OLD SPANISH TRAIL (U.S. 90)
Scarcely ever losing sight of the blue waters of the Mississippi Gulf, winding through arches of Spanish moss, bordered on one side by cool, green grass, and on the other by expanses of sparkling sand, “The Old Spanish Trail” leads the Mississippi traveler straight to the historical sights and recreational opportunities of the famous “Seven-Cities-by-the-Sea.”
Sailing, boating, deep-sea and fresh-water fishing, golf, tennis, horseback riding and any other type of sea-side recreation that you might expect to find in the most luxurious resort can be enjoyed on America’s riviera, the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Excellent hotels, cottages and tourist courts are located at regular intervals along the highway.
Beautiful, historic home, shaded by century-old, moss-hung oaks, flash by your car windows as you drive along the smooth pavement of one of the finest highways in the nation.
Pascagoula, first of the sunny coast cities, was formerly the camping ground of the great Pascagoula Indian tribe. Famous for the “Singing River,” a natural phenomena unexplained by scientists, Pascagoula has many other interesting sights to offer the traveler. Long a great ship building center, Pascagoula has gained new important with the National Defence Program for greater ship production.
Just a few miles north-west of Pascagoula and on the highway is Magnolia State Park. Attractive and inexpensive cabin accommodations, plus recreational opportunity make this modern park a convenient stopping place for visitors.
Ocean Springs (the old Biloxi of history) is the site of the French colony founded by Sieur d’Iberville. It has long been a popular resort for both winter and summer tourists who have enjoyed its mineral springs, warm climate, fine sea bathing and beautiful drives.
Biloxi, the first permanent settlement of the entire Louisiana Territory, retains the traditional friendliness of by-gone days, while being completely modern in providing thrilling entertainment for both winter and summer visitors. The historic lighthouse and Coast Guard station are two of the most popular visiting points.
Just out of Biloxi is Beauvoir, beautiful home of Jefferson Davis, Confederate President. It is now a state-supported public shrine home for Confederate veterans, their wives and widows.
Edgewater Park, between Biloxi and Gulfport, is a modern development with palm-lined driveways, attractive homes, hotel and golf course.
Next to Edgewater Park is Gulf Coast Military, an honor-ranking, privately supported school for boys of high school age.
Gulfport, newest of the seven cities, combines business with pleasure in a way that makes this attractive city an ideal vacation spot. Located in the center of this fun-loving resort region, Gulfport is headquarters for yachting, sailing and excursions. Contrasting the sporting atmosphere of the beautiful small craft harbor is the hustle and bustle of the deep water port. Just west of Gulfport is the smooth, green campus of Gulf Park College for girls.
Pass Christian, home of the famous columnist, Dorothy Dix, is a quiet, aristocratic coast resort with many beautiful homes and gardens to delight the traveler. A smooth, white beach and small craft harbor add the final touch to this pleasant resort.
Bay St. Louis by its very name gives promise of the wealth of historic lore to be discovered in this quaint coastal city. Numerous pirate legends and historic landmarks are the outstanding features here. In Bay St. Louis are located St. Joseph Academy for first and St. Stanislaus College for boys. Just 34 miles west of Bay St. Louis, U.S. 90 enters the romantic and colorful city of New Orleans.
Feel the Gulf breezes as you drive down Highway 90 . . .
Categories: Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, Gulf Coast, Gulfport, Historic Preservation, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula, Pass Christian
Preservation in Mississippi 
Road trip! I would rather be on Highway 90 this morning, too.
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ah, highway 90, more or less as i remember it in the 1950s. hurricanes and unplanned development have certainly done a number along this roadway, even with a lot of the cross-the-state traffic moved to i-10.
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Is there a site that has photos of the old homes that were along the coast before Camille? I was just a kid when it happened, so I don’t remember any of them. I bet there were some beauties though.
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