Biloxi , nicknamed as The Playground of The South is a city in Harrison County of Mississippi. Since early decade, the city has been a summer resort and vacation spot at the southern region. It has a subtropical climate with 18% of the city land covered with water. The history of Biloxi spans more than 300 years dating back to 1720 when it replaced Mobile City to become administrative capital of French Louisiana who later due to fears of tides and hurricanes, moved out to New Orleans in 18th century. On August 29th 2005, like most of the places in Gulf coast, Biloxi was heavily hit by Hurricane Katrina. The 17 hours high winds, heavy rain and 8 meter high storm surge caused massive damages to the city and all other places around. Many churches, casino, libraries, homes with 53 victims were sacrificed. In order to implement a vast hurricane-protection zone, multi-plans have been laid out to rebuild the water front areas of Biloxi, and about 17 thousand Mississippi coast home owners are given an option to sell their property..
Biloxi is a home to several casino resort hotels with 24 hours gambling, concert entertainment shows and restaurant.
Biloxi and the surrounding Gulf Coast region was considered a leading gambling center in southern United States just like Tunica County in north part of The States.
In early 21st century Biloxi's economy rested on three main sectors: seafood, tourism and gaming.
Casino history dates back to a period in 1940s when open gambling took place in a casino within broad water beach resort but it was ended in 1950s.
Hotels at beach front.
Stone benches along the beach carry with interesting marketing slogans are attractive.
Biloxi Lighthouse, original built to mark the Mississippi Coastline
in 1848, was the first cast iron tower in southern region of United States. The 45 feet tall tower withstood many storm over the years and was notable for several female light keepers. Though it survived Hurricane Katrina, the brick lining inside received significant damage which needs 14 months with 400 thousand dollars to get it restored. Biloxi lighthouse is a signature landmark of the city and it has reopened for public in 2010 March.
The lighthouses
The beach front of Biloxi lies directly on the Mississippi Sound with barrier islands scattering off the coast and into the Gulf of Mexico.
Miles of pristine white sand ...............
A spectacle!
Enjoy life!
Commercially, Biloxi was dominated by shrimp boats and oyster luggers. Locals retailing the fresh shrimp from a private van.
After open gambling was prohibited in 1950s, Mississippi Gulf Coast became to known as Poor Man's Riviera, frequented by southern families interested only in fishing expeditions during summer.
Gulf coast again emerged as a prime alternative to Florida in early 1960s, as a southern vacation destination among northerners with Biloxi as center of focus. During that period, Hotels started to upgrade amenities and hire chefs from Europe.
Biloxi transformed again when legal gambling was introduced to Mississippi in 1990s. It becomes an important center for casinos hotels and complexes brought million of dollars in tourism revenue to the city.
Boomtown Casino is one of the famous casinos complexes in Biloxi. It was also hit by hurricane Katrina in year 2005 but reopened one year later.
Hardrock Hotel and Casino is among the few popular in the city.
City hall, church and resident's house.
A residential district street in Biloxi.
Direction signs of casinos are every where to attract tourists attention.
Mississippi gulf coast at different moment.
The sun began to set.
Coastal beaches.
Traffic was quiet at inland town area in Biloxi.
The classic building located by the main street at highway 49, is a restaurant named Half Shell Oyster House offers fresh oyster and other seafood dishes.
We had a wonderful lunch in this cozily set up restaurant.
The fresh scallop and shrimp were prepared in their traditional southern way., nice to look and good to eat.
All coastal restaurants provide fresh oyster and seafood dishes.
The colorful and attractive elevated terrace houses in Biloxi.
Palm trees are very decorative along the coastal way.
The yacht bay.
Long wooden fishing piers .
Leaving Biloxi for Mobile
High elevated houses along the Mississippi Coastal way.
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