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How has Gulfport changed in 125 years? See photos of city’s past, present and future.

Mary Perez, Allen Frazier, Hannah Ruhoff
·1 min read

Gulfport was incorporated in 1898 and will celebrate 125 years of progress and resilience on Saturday, July 29, at Jones Park.

The party runs from 5-9 p.m, and the century and a quarter of history will be marked with a community parade at 5:30 p.m., entertainment starting at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks at 8:30 p.m. Games, bounce houses and food trucks also are in the plans.

Gulfport was founded by the president of the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad, William H. Hardy. Along with the port, the railroad allowed Gulfport to become the economic hub of Coastal Mississippi in the early 1900s.

The city grew tremendously in its first 30 years, adding a trolley, new hotels and resorts, seafood restaurants and department stores. Despite the Great Depression slowing its growth, the city managed to recover during and after World War II, with new military installations, businesses and a stronger economy.

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Gulfport became the second largest city in Mississippi in 1993. Downtown once again is thriving and many of the historic buildings built in the last 125 years have been renovated and are still in use.

The Sun Herald has long been part of the history of Gulfport. When Hurricane Camille tore through the newspaper office in downtown Gulfport in 1969, the Sun Herald predecessor The Daily Herald never missed a day of publication.

Here is a “Past and Present” salute in pictures to the Mississippi Coast city’s 125 years.

Past: The busy scene pictured on this circa 1915 postcard is described by photographer E. J. Younghans as a “Cosmopolitan Corner” in Gulfport.  During the early 1900s, Younghans was well known for his pictures of everyday scenes in Biloxi and Gulfport. The second floor sign identifies the building in the foreground as the J. W. Carry Ship Brokers Co. The sign at the top side of the tall building on the far left identifies it as the N. & F. Hewes Ship Chandler Co., which sold all of the supplies that the ship would need for the long voyage back to its homeland, including groceries. 
Present: The view of downtown Gulfport from the roof of the Hancock Whitney Bank building is much different than what the city looked like when it was incorporated 125 years ago. A celebration is July 29 at Jones Park.
Present: The view of downtown Gulfport from the roof of the Hancock Whitney Bank building is much different than what the city looked like when it was incorporated 125 years ago. A celebration is July 29 at Jones Park.
Captain Joseph Jones built the office for the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad in 1902, which served as the office space for the railroad company, a customs collector, the post office and a telegraph company. In the 1980s, it was called the Gulf South Building and was later renovated to its former design by Mississippi Power Company.
Captain Joseph Jones built the office for the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad in 1902, which served as the office space for the railroad company, a customs collector, the post office and a telegraph company. In the 1980s, it was called the Gulf South Building and was later renovated to its former design by Mississippi Power Company.
The Gulf and Ship Island Railroad Office, which now houses The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Blue initiative and collaborative workspace, in Gulfport on Friday, July 14, 2023.
The Gulf and Ship Island Railroad Office, which now houses The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Blue initiative and collaborative workspace, in Gulfport on Friday, July 14, 2023.
Past: All of the banks in Gulfport had failed by 1932 during the Great Depression and city leaders asked Hancock County Bank to open a branch in downtown Gulfport. The bank’s first Gulfport location was at the corner of 13th Street and 26th Avenue in the building that now is The Rack House.
Past: All of the banks in Gulfport had failed by 1932 during the Great Depression and city leaders asked Hancock County Bank to open a branch in downtown Gulfport. The bank’s first Gulfport location was at the corner of 13th Street and 26th Avenue in the building that now is The Rack House.
Present: This historic building in downtown Gulfport became home to The Rack House Steak & Spirits in 2017.
Present: This historic building in downtown Gulfport became home to The Rack House Steak & Spirits in 2017.
Past: Built by Charles Markham and opened in 1927, the Markham Hotel became the hub for business travelers and special events in Gulfport. Featuring a pool, a rooftop garden, and a cafe, it was one of the most popular spots in the city. After several decades of failing businesses and several more of being abandoned, the Hotel fell into disrepair and was badly damaged during Hurricane Katrina. It now is being restored. This photo was dated 1944.
Present: he Markham Hotel in downtown Gulfport is being restored from the damages of time and Hurricane Katrina.
Present: he Markham Hotel in downtown Gulfport is being restored from the damages of time and Hurricane Katrina.
Past: The Hewes Building was built by O.E. Thompson in 1905 during Gulfport’s early expansion. It was one of the tallest structures on the Gulf Coast at the time, and the first one in Mississippi to feature an elevator. After surviving several hurricanes, the building was renovated and is still in use.
Past: The Hewes Building was built by O.E. Thompson in 1905 during Gulfport’s early expansion. It was one of the tallest structures on the Gulf Coast at the time, and the first one in Mississippi to feature an elevator. After surviving several hurricanes, the building was renovated and is still in use.
The Hewes Building, now home to Kessler Federal Credit Union and offices, in Gulfport on Friday, July 14, 2023.
The Hewes Building, now home to Kessler Federal Credit Union and offices, in Gulfport on Friday, July 14, 2023.
Gulfport Library was built in 1966, featuring a unique design by local architect Charles L. Proffe that made Gulfport citizens fall in love with the building. After extensive damage during Hurricane Katrina, the building was set to be demolished, but locals and activists stepped up to save it. Coast Transit Authority took over the building to use as a hub for bus operations and later renovated the historic building.
The Coast Transit Center, which was once a library, in Gulfport on Friday, July 14, 2023.
The Coast Transit Center, which was once a library, in Gulfport on Friday, July 14, 2023.
Between Cowan Road and Laurel Drive in Gulfport once stood the Merry Mansion, built during WWI by Italian businessman Henry Piaggio. It later became the Embassy Club during WWII, then Merry Mansion, and was rumored to be haunted before being abandoned in the 1950s. It was destroyed by Hurricane Camille in 1969.
Between Cowan Road and Laurel Drive in Gulfport once stood the Merry Mansion, built during WWI by Italian businessman Henry Piaggio. It later became the Embassy Club during WWII, then Merry Mansion, and was rumored to be haunted before being abandoned in the 1950s. It was destroyed by Hurricane Camille in 1969.
An empty plot of land on Highway 90 that was once home to the Merry Mansion, which was destroyed in Hurricane Camille, on Monday, July 17, 2023.
An empty plot of land on Highway 90 that was once home to the Merry Mansion, which was destroyed in Hurricane Camille, on Monday, July 17, 2023.
Gulfport Post Office in under construction in this 1910 photo.
Gulfport Post Office in under construction in this 1910 photo.
The view of downtown Gulfport from the roof of the Hancock Whitney building on Monday, July 17, 2023.
The view of downtown Gulfport from the roof of the Hancock Whitney building on Monday, July 17, 2023.
Built in 1916, the Carnegie Library is one of the oldest buildings in Gulfport and is the only one still standing on that side of 24th Avenue. In 1966, the library was converted into an office space for the Board of Education, and later it became the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department. In 2004, it turned into the Mississippi Sound Historical Museum, but was damaged by Hurricane Katrina the following year and has since been renovated.
Present: The Carnegie Library that was built with a donation from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation still carries the name. It was restored after being damaged by Hurricane Katrina and now houses the Gulfport Arts Center.
Present: The Carnegie Library that was built with a donation from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation still carries the name. It was restored after being damaged by Hurricane Katrina and now houses the Gulfport Arts Center.
This undated photograph shows a mixture of Mississippi Centennial Exposition buildings and other more utilitarian ones built for the Veterans Administration hospital complex. The Centennial was in 1917 and a year later Centennial Plaza was transformed into a Navy base during World War I.
This undated photograph shows a mixture of Mississippi Centennial Exposition buildings and other more utilitarian ones built for the Veterans Administration hospital complex. The Centennial was in 1917 and a year later Centennial Plaza was transformed into a Navy base during World War I.
The restoration and opening of Centennial Plaza in Gulfport was a major accomplishment. It was the the site of the state bicentennial in 2017 and is Cruise Central for Cruisin' The Coast each October. The beach resort has a waterpark, restaurants, hotels and a restored chapel for special events.
The restoration and opening of Centennial Plaza in Gulfport was a major accomplishment. It was the the site of the state bicentennial in 2017 and is Cruise Central for Cruisin' The Coast each October. The beach resort has a waterpark, restaurants, hotels and a restored chapel for special events.
To make Gulfport a true port city, legend has it that founder Capt. Joseph T. Jones bribed the captain of this Italian ship, The Trojan, to prove the channel passable. Willis W. Vail, one of Jones’ engineers, photographed the event in 1902. Credit: The Paul Jermyn Collection
To make Gulfport a true port city, legend has it that founder Capt. Joseph T. Jones bribed the captain of this Italian ship, The Trojan, to prove the channel passable. Willis W. Vail, one of Jones’ engineers, photographed the event in 1902. Credit: The Paul Jermyn Collection
The view of downtown Gulfport from the roof of the Hancock Whitney building on Monday, July 17, 2023.
The view of downtown Gulfport from the roof of the Hancock Whitney building on Monday, July 17, 2023.
Past: Built by Joseph T. Jones in 1903, the Great Southern Hotel was the premier resort for tourists from around the nation, featuring a cafe, a basketball court, and even a trolley line to the Yacht Club before closing during the Great Depression. Although several Gulfport locals managed to save the hotel soon after, it was demolished in 1951 to make room for U.S. 90. Today, Jones Park occupies the spot where the hotel once stood.
Jones Park in Gulfport on Friday, July 14, 2023.
Jones Park in Gulfport on Friday, July 14, 2023.
This unidentified mother and children enjoy Independence Day at the beach in Gulfport in a flashback.
This unidentified mother and children enjoy Independence Day at the beach in Gulfport in a flashback.
Present: The reflection of a person beach walking is seen in the water on the Gulfport beach.
Present: The reflection of a person beach walking is seen in the water on the Gulfport beach.
Past: From 1905 to 1926, the Gulfport and Mississippi Coast Traction Company provided a trolley service between Gulfport and Biloxi. Additional lines provided direct access to other parts of the Gulf Coast, the interior, and even the Yacht Club in Gulfport. This picture from The Dixie Press was captioned: “Where Gulf breezes from Mississippi Sound temper the blasts of winter and make pleasant the summer months. Boating, bathing, fishing and hunting the year round along the Gulf Coast and the Centennial Exposition is an added attraction.
Present: The Coast Transit Center in Gulfport operates in the former library, next to Mississippi Aquarium. A tram bridge over U.S. 90 is under construction and will connect the aquarium with Jones Park.
Present: The Coast Transit Center in Gulfport operates in the former library, next to Mississippi Aquarium. A tram bridge over U.S. 90 is under construction and will connect the aquarium with Jones Park.
Past: By 1939, Hancock Bank moved to the eight-story tan brick building at the corner of 14th Street and 25th Avenue and relocated the corporate headquarters from Bay St. Louis to Gulfport. It remained the downtown branch and HQ until completion of the 15-story One Hancock Plaza tower around 1981.
Past: By 1939, Hancock Bank moved to the eight-story tan brick building at the corner of 14th Street and 25th Avenue and relocated the corporate headquarters from Bay St. Louis to Gulfport. It remained the downtown branch and HQ until completion of the 15-story One Hancock Plaza tower around 1981.
Present: The intersection of Highway 49 and 13th Street in Gulfport is dominated by Hancock Whitney Bank. In 2011, when Hancock Bank acquired Whitney Bank, the company renamed the corporate building from One Hancock Plaza to Hancock Whitney Plaza. In 2018, the company combined the two legacy bank brands. The Hancock Whitney Plaza campus is still the company’s corporate headquarters.
Past: This 1994 photo shows The Copa Casino, left, a cruise ship permanently docked at the state port in Gulfport. It eventually was replaced with a casino barge that was displaced by Hurricane Katrina. At top is the Grand Gulfport, that later became the Island View Casino.
Past: This 1994 photo shows The Copa Casino, left, a cruise ship permanently docked at the state port in Gulfport. It eventually was replaced with a casino barge that was displaced by Hurricane Katrina. At top is the Grand Gulfport, that later became the Island View Casino.
Present: The side of Island View Casino Resort's Beach Tower in Gulfport is used as a canvas for a free nightly light show. The beach casino is entirely non-smoking while the Island View Casino on the north side of U.S. 90 allows smoking.
Present: The side of Island View Casino Resort's Beach Tower in Gulfport is used as a canvas for a free nightly light show. The beach casino is entirely non-smoking while the Island View Casino on the north side of U.S. 90 allows smoking.