Thursday Thirteen ~ Ocean Springs

Thirteen Things about Ocean Springs How did Ocean Springs get it's name? By 1850, the potential of the mineral springs on Fort Bayou was accessed by Phillip P. Bowen and George Lynch, and in 1853, Dr. William G. Austin of New Orleans had erected the Ocean Springs Hotel on Jackson Avenue. In 1854, the small town took its name, Ocean Springs, from the large hotel (The hotel is long gone, but you can still visit the mineral springs). Visit Fort Maurepas - (destroyed by Katrina, not sure if they are going to rebuild it). After reconnoitering the northern Gulf Coast from Florida to the deltaic mouth of the Mississippi River, and inland as far as present day New Orleans, Louisiana, d'Iberville built Fort Maurepas on a peninsula on the east shore of the Bay of Biloxi (present day Ocean Springs). The French operations were conducted from the deepwater anchorage at Ship Island. The French adventurers had made contact with the local American Indians who were established on the Pascagoula River. These tribes were called Bylocchy, Pascoboula, and Moctoby. The name Bylocchy or Biloxy became synonymous with the French settlement at Fort Maurepas, and in later times became spelled Biloxi. Click here to read more about the history of Ocean Springs. Visit Shearwater Pottery (unfortunately after Katrina it was closed for repairs, but Jim Anderson is still throwing pottery). In 1928, Peter Anderson (1901-1984) founded the Shearwater Pottery on the Bay of Biloxi. His brothers, Walter "Bob" Anderson (1903-1965) and James "Mac" Anderson, were an integral part of the artistic creativity, which allowed the pottery to grow to international acclaim. Vist the Walter Anderson Museum of Art. A museum to exhibit the works of Walter Anderson, a watercolorist, was opened at Ocean Springs in May 1991. Attend the Peter Anderson Festival. The Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center is the keystone of the public arts community in Ocean Springs. Located in the historic Ocean Springs Public School Building on Government Street, the Center provides a diverse set of programs and facilities for the arts. Visit Gulf Island National Seashore. Eat at Aunt Jenny's. Eat at Anthony's. Visit Realizations located in the historic L&N Railroad Depot. Walk on the beach Attend the Herb & Garden Fest. The Herb & Garden Festival is an annual event in Ocean Springs. Each year, approximately 100 vendors gather to showcase their herb and garden inspired works. Anything from daylilies to herbs, plants, and plant inspired artwork is featured at the annual event. Attend Cruisin' The Coast.