The Great Gulf Coast -- Sails, Trails & Rails

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The Great Gulf Coast -- Sails, Trails & Rails

�The Great Gulf Coast � Sails, Trails and Rails� is exactly as its name states. It is the elucidation of coastal transportation from early times to the present. With the exception of air travel, Ellis's chronicles begin with describing the water vessels that traveled the lakes, bayous, and the Mississippi Sound. In this regard, he unfolds the colonial periods of domination by the French, British, and Spanish. And the flags honoring those nations went through serial changes until 1811, when the first American banner was raised displaying 15 stars and stripes. This flag was presented by Dr. William Flood as he commanded his schooner, the Alligator, in making several stopovers along the Coast.

Mississippi went from being a territory to statehood � and its early first settlers experienced the Great Migration and the establishment of the Antebellum era. With the influx of new people, the early coastal towns and cities were primarily engaged in farming, fishing, lumbering, and ship building. As New Orleans and inland plantations became attracted to the health benefits and exotic charm of the Gulf Coast, each of the coastal villages began vying against each other in attracting the rich Louisiana planters and businessmen. Health resorts developed into famed �Watering Places� as grandiose hotels were built to accommodate and entertain the Cream of Southern Society.

Meanwhile, trails had been cut through the forests and marsh lands, first for the mail run, and later as farm-to-market roads. At the crossings of bayous and rivers, ferry stations were constructed.

The first major rail lines were built following the Civil War. In October 1870, two trains met at Chef Menteur Pass, one from New Orleans � the other from Mobile, in celebrating the 139-mile east-west line predecessor to the L&N, now the CSX. In October 1883, the first train along the Northeastern line arrived at New Orleans from Meridian, Mississippi. By 1901, the second railroad line running north and south, the Gulf and Ship Island, was opened beginning from the new village of Gulfport to Hattiesburg and on to Jackson, Mississippi.

Throughout the book can be found photos of streets, ferries, early automobiles, sea-walls, train engines, depots, old hotels, and maps showing waterways, roadways, and railways. The development of trolleys and streetcars are graphically shown and described as each of the coastal cities and counties are unfolded through the 1800s, to the 1900s, and to the current period.

A special section is devoted to the significant problems, railroad operations, train wrecks and safety, track relocation, Federal and State proposals, the Amtrak system, and the future of High Speed Trains.

Dan Ellis can be contacted at [email protected]


	Dan Ellis.Net \| home Diamondhead Jubilee \| Kiln Kountry -- Home of Brett Favre \| Slidell � Camellia City \| Pass Christian Discovered \| Images of America -- Pass Christian \| St. Paul Parish Jubilee 3 \| Hancock County � Bay St. Louis Discovered \| Gulfport Discovered \| Mississippi Gulf Coast \| Pass Christian � Historic District and Lost Mansions \| All About Camille -- The Big Storm \| Lighthouses and Islands -- of the Gulf Coast \| The Great Gulf Coast -- Sails, Trails & Rails \| Gold Coast Watering Places \| Christmas in the Pass The Great Gulf Coast -- Sails, Trails & Rails �The Great Gulf Coast � Sails, Trails and Rails� is exactly as its name states. It is the elucidation of coastal transportation from early times to the present. With the exception of air travel, Ellis's chronicles begin with describing the water vessels that traveled the lakes, bayous, and the Mississippi Sound. In this regard, he unfolds the colonial periods of domination by the French, British, and Spanish. And the flags honoring those nations went through serial changes until 1811, when the first American banner was raised displaying 15 stars and stripes. This flag was presented by Dr. William Flood as he commanded his schooner, the Alligator, in making several stopovers along the Coast. Mississippi went from being a territory to statehood � and its early first settlers experienced the Great Migration and the establishment of the Antebellum era. With the influx of new people, the early coastal towns and cities were primarily engaged in farming, fishing, lumbering, and ship building. As New Orleans and inland plantations became attracted to the health benefits and exotic charm of the Gulf Coast, each of the coastal villages began vying against each other in attracting the rich Louisiana planters and businessmen. Health resorts developed into famed �Watering Places� as grandiose hotels were built to accommodate and entertain the Cream of Southern Society. Meanwhile, trails had been cut through the forests and marsh lands, first for the mail run, and later as farm-to-market roads. At the crossings of bayous and rivers, ferry stations were constructed. The first major rail lines were built following the Civil War. In October 1870, two trains met at Chef Menteur Pass, one from New Orleans � the other from Mobile, in celebrating the 139-mile east-west line predecessor to the L&N, now the CSX. In October 1883, the first train along the Northeastern line arrived at New Orleans from Meridian, Mississippi. By 1901, the second railroad line running north and south, the Gulf and Ship Island, was opened beginning from the new village of Gulfport to Hattiesburg and on to Jackson, Mississippi. Throughout the book can be found photos of streets, ferries, early automobiles, sea-walls, train engines, depots, old hotels, and maps showing waterways, roadways, and railways. The development of trolleys and streetcars are graphically shown and described as each of the coastal cities and counties are unfolded through the 1800s, to the 1900s, and to the current period. A special section is devoted to the significant problems, railroad operations, train wrecks and safety, track relocation, Federal and State proposals, the Amtrak system, and the future of High Speed Trains. Dan Ellis can be contacted at [email protected]