Pass Time Line

Pass Christian | HISTORY

Pass Time Line

Pass Christian -- Significant Dates

Researched and Compiled by Dan Ellis

1699, March, d'Iberville landed at PC peninsula area

1699, June, Bienville, Jean Baptiste Saucier and others named Bay of St. Louis and hunted wild game on the Peninsula, returning to hunt once more in August on their return to Ship Island.

1700, Jan 12, Bienville sounded the "Passe aux Huistres" (Oysters) west of Cat Island (later to be named Passe aux Christian)

1700, Jan 22, Bienville stayed night on east Bay St. Louis bluffs on returning from Mississippi River

1713-1717, Antoine Crozat promoted land specu-lation and development in French Louisiana

1717, Madame de Mezieres held concession to all lands around Bay of St. Louis

1718, Map of New France and Gulf drawn in Paris by Comte DeLisle

1719, Christian Ladner arrived aboard the "Le Marie" age 20, he married Marie Brunet (Brunel)

1723, Hurricane devastated the Coast from Bay St. Louis to Pascagoula causing many of existing settlers to move to safer havens

1727, Birth of Christian Ladner's son, Nicholas Christian Ladner, who developed Cat Island in 1745, and later, in 1788, Old Chimneys (at east Long Beach)

1732, Early French Map shows Pass Christian as "Oyster Pass" (Passe aux Huistres) (in 1732 Map, the pass was also called Basudre aux Huistres) currnetly Pass Christian.

1745, Nicholas Christian Ladner married Marianne Patier, moved to Cat Island (Namesakes for Pass Christian and Pass Marianne)

1763, Treaty of Paris -- French withdrew, ceding East of MS to England and ceding West of MS to Spain including New Orleans

1779, Spanish took control of East and West Florida (Spanish Governor Galvez confirmed all holdings of persons engaged in real occupancy and improvement of lands previously granted during British and French dominion.)

1781, Francois Carriere, third husband of Widow Asmard, laid claim to all of Pass Christian peninsula (Spanish Land Grant) (claimed to have been settled earlier by Carriere and used as a Dairy Farm) --- Actually, the Widow Asmard was original owner.

1781, July 31; Nicholas Christian Ladner registered ownership of Cat Island claiming he had resided on it for 35 years prior (1746)

1781, Juan Cuevas, Andelusian, moved to Cat Island and married Marie Ladner

1781, Jean Baptiste Martial Nicaise moved from Mobile to Wolftown (DeLisle). He married Louise Baptiste Christian Ladner, daughter of Christian Ladner, in 1802

1783, Chevalier Dedeaux moved to DeLisle, first wife was Madaline Saucier, and his second Wife was Ursule Nicaise

1788, May; Nicholas Christian (Ladner) petitioned and granted land on Coast (Old Chimneys at Long Beach bordering Francois Carriere's / Widow Asmard Pass Christian peninsula)

1793, Dec; Bartheleme Grelot granted 20 arpents in Delisle

1794, July 6; Phillipe Saucier received Delisle grant, 20 arpents

1796, Pierre Moran moved to northside Wolf River

1796, Will of Julia de la Brosse (Widow Asmard), (codicil in 1797)

1799, Widow Asmard deeded 800 Arpents (downtown PC) to Charles Asmar (Her freed slave)

1803, Louisiana Purchase

1804, Coast postal service instituted over-land from Fort Stoddard through Mobile to New Orleans consisting of 200 miles taking 25 days

1805, Indian Treaty resulted in Southeast Indians giving up Coastal lands

1809, Sep; Barthelemy Pellerin surveyed and granted the Pass Peninsula (which was the former Widow Asmar's Claim excluding Charle's, "Charlot", 800 Arpents)

1810, a traveler reported 4 or 5 Free Negroes in the Pass with a number of summer homes built by rich New Orleanians, and 10 to 15 families in Bay St. Louis (Shieldsborough)

1810, forest roads and trails brought many Georgians and Carolinians to the coastal area

1810, West Florida independence, 74 day Republic, Sep 23 to Dec 10, Lone Star Flag.

1811, Jan 9-13; Claiborne sent Doctor Flood to raise the American Flag on the Gulf coast and to appoint Justices of the Peace, one of whom was Philippe Saucier

1811, Jan 25; Gen. James Wilkinson ordered 200 U.S. troops to the Pass followed by British Gen. Wade Hampton arriving with 800 British troops and 14 ships

1811, Dec 14; Mobile County divided into Hancock, Jackson and Mobile

1812, Hancock County formed on Dec 14, from Pearl River to Bay of Biloxi

1812, Jun, War of 1812, ended in 1815

1813, Apr; American Gen Wilkinson took Mobile

1813, Aug; Creeks incited by Spanish killed 500 settlers at Fort Mims Massacre

1814, Mar 27; Andrew Jackson led a contingent of Mississippi and Tennessee militia against Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend

1814, Sep; Jackson headed the Seventh Military District (MS, LA, and TN), he defeated the British at Mobile and at Pensacola

1814, Dec 1; Jackson arrived at New Orleans to prepare defenses against the British

1814, Edward Livingston purchased the 17,084 Arpents Pass Christian from Pellerin (purchased for $7000 of monies he was paid by Jean Lafitte)

1814, Dec 13; Lt Tac Jones delayed the British armada from Pass Christian to the Rigolets

1815, Jan 8; Battle of New Orleans, the victory resulted in the polyglot of Gulf Coast inhabitants becoming Americans and commencing the Great Migration

1817, Mississippi Statehood

1827, Schooner service established between New Orleans and Mobile

1830, Indian Removal Act, Trail of Tears

1830, Pass population was misstated as 1,962

1831, Lighthouses built at Pass and Cat Island

1831, Pass Christian Hotel built

1834, Freed Negro, Charlot Asmard's Will, leaving unsold balance of original 800 Arpents of downtown to Family and heirs

1835, Charles Asmard died (Freed Negro slave who owned all of Downtown Pass Christian.)

1836, Jan; Edward Livingston's Will to wife Louisa granted remainder of original 17,084 arpents

1836, Dec; Louisa Livingston sold much of Pass peninsula to John Henderson, Charles Shipman and David Hughes

1837, Trail of Tears, Creeks stayed several months at the Pass, Chief Moniac buried

1839, Dec 27; Post Office established

1839, John Henderson, et al, platted and sub-divided the Pass peninsula for land development and lot sales

1839, First Steamboats came into use

1841, Feb 5; Harrison County formed from Hancock and Jackson, July 5 first County Board meeting held at Mississippi City, the County seat

1842, Pass Road from Biloxi to the Pass made a County Road

1843, Night patrol Captain instituted by County, appointed W.M. Mosely followed by F.B. Hiern and later Ely Seph

1843, Land acquired from Edward Saucier for Catholic Church, later returned

1844, First Roman Catholic Mission Church built by Father Labbe

1846, Mississippi Public School Act

1846-1848; Mexican War --- Gen Zachary Taylor

1847, First recorded Catholic Baptisms administered by Father Buteux

1848, Pass Christian chartered as a Town

1848, City boundaries expanded

1849, Trinity Episcopal Church built

1849, Birth of Yachting on the Gulf started at Montgomery's Pass Christian Hotel. It was second in the nation, first in the South

1849-50, More than sixty new cottages built along Beach front

1850, Catholic cemetery established

1851, First, Catholic Parish Church built by Father Guerard, first Pastor

1852, City boundaries expanded

1853, Hancock Courthouse in Gainsville burned -- Pass Christian still part of Hancock County

1853, First new yellow fever case in the Pass

1855, John Henderson Will recorded for wife and sons

1858, Jan; Louisa Henderson Will to daughter, Julia and son Elliot

1858, Apr; City Ordinances revised and printed, street names included, Black Code drafted

1860, N. Bohn started men's clothing store

1861-1865, Civil War

1861, Mississippi secession

1862, Federal ships fired upon PC, Bed-sheet Surrender, PC Dahlgren Guard Flag made by local ladies taken by invading forces.

1865, PC Hotel purchased by Christian Brothers for a Boys' College

1866, The Pass Christian Hotel added a dome when it became Christian Brothers College

1866, End of Mississippi insurrection period

1866, 30 sawmills were in operation by Spring throughout the Coast

1867, Yellow fever killed 9 Catholic Brothers and many townsfolk

1870, Jan 11; Sisters of Mercy started St Joseph's Academy for Girls (Second in Diocese)

1870, Feb, end of Reconstruction Era, Mississippi Congressional representation was restored in Washington

1870, Sisters of Mercy started St. Joseph Schools

1870, Nov 21; L&N (Mobile and NO) Railroad established along the Coast providing passenger and freight service

1871, Railroad engine and cars crashed into Bay due to piles eaten by marine borers (Toredos)

1873, French Oyster Company opened on Front St. by Albert French

1875, Christian Brothers college closed due to Yellow Fever

1876, Pass Christian Hotel (Christian Brothers College) burned down

1876, St. Paul's Church burned down

1877, Pass Christian Downtown area burned

1877, L&N acquired the Mobile N.O. R.R.

1878, Yellow Fever epidemic

1878, Pass was first to use oyster and clam shells for roadway topping

1879, New, Second Catholic Church opened, dedicated to St. Paul

1879, John McGuinty donated land for a road to the West End RR Station

1880, Gulf Coast Beacon first publication, Gen. J.R. Davis publisher

1880, May 8; Daily Commuter train began run from Ocean Springs to N.O.

1880, Major General Wm S Harney, a Union officer, acquired Beaulieu (Dixie White House) where he entertained Ulysses S. Grant

1882, New City Charter

1882, St. Joseph's School integrated Boys and Girls

1882, Sullivan vs Ryan fight at Mississippi City, Sullivan reportedly trained at the Pass

1883, Mexican Gulf Hotel opened, built by Gen. George Sherman

1884, First Artesian well dug in east Pass by John T. Hardie

1884, Wolf Town name changed to DeLisle with opening of Post Office

1884, Pass town boundaries expanded

1885, New City Hall constructed, built by Fred Sutter

1888, First Town water system

1890, M.J. Crawford, manager of Mexican Gulf Hotel wrote Reminiscences of 1880s

1893, Town Library started by the Ladie's Library Association

1893, Pass Christian Yacht Club began with revival of two regattas

1895, Charles L. Dyer wrote Along the Gulf, L&N Railroad stops

1895, Street ordinance naming Second, Gulf (Hwy 90), Menge, Fleitas, Seal and Boisdore.

1896, Rev. Father R.J. Sorin a native of France became Pastor of Our Lady of Good Hope in DeLisle

1897, Yellow Fever epidemic

1898, Gulfport incorporated

1898, Spanish American War

1899, Oct, Thirty telephones installed at Pass

1902, Hancock Bank opened Pass branch

1904, Elliot Henderson promoted land sales in Henderson Point and Pass Christian Iles

1904, Dunbar, Lopez, Dukate began seafood plant

1905, Town Library building purchased by Ladies's Library Association

1905, Long Beach incorporated

1908, Street Car line established to Biloxi

1908, First Electric Lights -- 132 installed

1911, St. Philomena's Catholic Church (now Mother of Mercy) dedicated

1912, 6 mph speed limit set for motor vehicles

1912, City limits extended to Boisdore on west and present Long Beach on east

1912, Woodrow Wilson visited the Pass for the Winter on Christmas Day, stayed at Beaulieu

1915, June; Teddy Roosevelt visited the Pass as a guest of John Parker (former LA Governor)

1915, First Mardi Gras Parade

1915, Airplane landed at Oak street and the railroad at the playground

1915, The Lynn Castle Hotel burned down followed by the Magnolia Hotel (Miramar site) two weeks later

1915, Coast Hurricane

1917, Mexican Gulf Hotel burned down

1917, April, World War I

1917, First Fire Engine purchased

1918, Flu epidemic

1920, Garden Club organized

1921, Ferry service instituted at Bay from Henderson Point to Bay St. Louis

1923, Jun 13; Pass Chamber of Commerce organized

1924, Rotary Club chartered

1925, Japanese gardens built by R.S. Hecht

1926, Aug 7; First Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, National Tarpon Tournament

1927, Grey Castle Hotel opened

1927, New Brick City Hall constructed at Market Street

1928, Natural Gas was installed at the Pass

1928, Mar 28; Wooden Bay bridge opened to traffic

1929, Oct; Spanish Trail Motorcade from St. Augustine to San Diego arrived in the Pass

1929, stock market crash

1930, Pass Christian Carnival Association reorganized Mardi Gras

1930, Horace White donated land for City Park

1935, WPA projects started in the Pass

1937, First Spring Pilgrimage co-sponsored with New Orleans

1937, Jan 16; New Pass Christian High School formal opening

1937, Pass Yacht Club re-organized

1937, March 18; Skipperette Club organized with 26 members

1938, Knost Regatta organized

1938, Jaycee Chapter organized

1941, Dec 8; World War II

1942, Blackout curfew for duration of the War, utility poles painted white for night visibility

1942, Merchant Marines took over Inn-by-the-Sea at Henderson Point

1942, US Army took over Pine Hills Hotel complex at DeLisle

1943, Segregation laws enacted in hotels and dining facilities

1943, Rhea Memorial Park given to the Trinity Church

1946, Feb 20; VFW chapter organized

1946, Wallace Walker acquired and began promotions of Henderson Point and Pass Christian Isles

1947, Jan 4; Memorial Park Playground dedicated

1947, Sep 19; Hurricane

1948, First parking meters, created contention between Mayor and Town Marshall

1950, Korean War

1950, Sand beach pumped in

1950, Garden Club reactivated

1952, Pass Christian Isle Golf Club began

1953, July 26; PC Yacht Club purchased Canning Factory at Harbor location

1953, Aug 1; Four-lane concrete Bay bridge

1953, Nov 14; PC Isles Golf Club-House dedicated

1953, Dec 6; Coast Art Group held first meeting

1953, Dec 21; South lane of US Highway 90 opened

1954, Oct 17; Henderson Point/Heights Volunteer Fire Dept - Fire Station dedicated

1955, Planning Commission created

1956, Pass Volunteer Fire Dept. chartered

1957, Aug 22; Memorial dedication to Yellow Fever clergy victims of 1867

1957, First Frost Bite Regatta at PCYC

1958, Feb 11; Knights of Columbus received Charter

1958, VFW acquired Fleitas Street building for Headquarters

1958, Oct 7; Miss America - Mary Ann Mobley visited the Pass

1958, Dec 10; the first PC Chamber of Commerce Building dedicated at East Harbor

1959, City Hall caught fire

1961, May 25; Coast Guard Flotilla received Charter

1962, Vietnam War

1963, St Joseph's name change to St Paul's School

1965, US World & News proclaimed 5-mile stretch of Scenic/Hwy90 third wealthiest street in the Nation, behind Wall St & Palm Beach, FL

1964, May 4; St Paul Elementary School dedicated

1965, Sep 9; Hurricane Betsy

1966, Integration of Pass Public Schools

1966, Public Library Board created

1967, Gus Stevens Restaurant at Henderson Point burned down

1969, March 17; First St. Patrick's Day Parade

1969, Aug 17; Hurricane Camille

1971, Jan 16; Jazz Funeral for Captain John Handy

1971, New Yacht Club dedicated

1971, Oct; Friends of the Library organized (chartered in 1972)

1971, Oct 21; World Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis visited

1971, Nov 14; Trinity Episcopal Church consecration ceremonies

1972, Third Catholic Parish Church dedicated

1972, Annie's Restaurant at the Point burned

1973, June; New Public Library opened

1973, Chamber of Commerce opened new building office at West Harbor

1974, Oct 27; Trinity Episcopal Church celebrated 125th Anniversary

1975, PC Historical Society reorganized

1975, St. Paul Catholic Church received the Lady of Guadalupe statue

1976, Jan 9; Bicentennial Celebrations, Re-enactment pageantry

1976, July 1; Groundbreaking for Baptist Assembly Complex at Henderson Point

1976, July 4; Bicentennial Celebrations at War Memorial

1977, Annual St Paul Seafood Festival reorganized

1981, Ter Chemicals, Inc, began operations

1981, Champion Shipyards, Inc added to Industrial Seaway

1982, Oct 14; Dupont Plant 3rd Anniversary visited by Gov. William Winter

1982, Historic Preservation Ordinance passed

1983, Sep 20; Kittiwake Baptist Church ground breaking services held

1985, First Christmas in the Pass

1995, First PCYC Female Commodore -- Shelly Colleen

1995, First VFW Female Commander -- Nita Favre

1995, St. Patrick's Day Parade re-organized "Krewe of Blarney Halfast Walkin Klub"

1995, Shopping Center opened at Henderson Avenue and Hwy 90

1996, Land purchase of Highway property fronting St. Paul Catholic Church

1997, St. Paul Catholic Parish Sesquicentennial

1999, Trinity Episcopal Church Sesquicentennial

1999, TriCentennial Celebrations

1999, First Jazz in the Pass organized

2000, PC Lighthouse Society formed

2003, Walmart Grand opening

2003, Town Library deeded to PC Historical Society

2004, New Bayou Portage bridge completed on Henderson/Hampton streets to DeLisle

2005, Hurricane Katrina.

2006, Pass Christian Master Plan placed in effect

2008, Municipal Complex Completed

2014, Municipal Harbor Extension Dedicated

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