Flyer Distribution Biloxi, MS

Biloxi is a city in Mississippi, USA, and one of two county seats of Harrison County. Its population was 44,054 in 2010 and 46,212 in 2019. French colonists founded the town, part of the Gulfport-Biloxi metropolitan area. Biloxi was the third-largest city in Mississippi before Hurricane Katrina, but its population decreased after the disaster. The city beachfront is on the Mississippi Sound, and Keesler Air Force Base is within its boundaries. History of Biloxi, MS Biloxi, Mississippi, was the first permanent European settlement in French Louisiana in 1699. The city was settled again in 1720 and became the administrative capital of French Louisiana. The money was moved to New Orleans in 1722 due to fears of hurricanes. Biloxi remained primarily French despite British and Spanish rule. After being traded to the US by Spain, Biloxi became a summer resort town and popular vacation destination. The city's seafood industry led to the development and attracted immigrants from different ethnic groups. Keesler Field, now Keesler Air Force Base, was built by the US Army Air Forces during World War II and became a primary basic training site and site for aircraft maintenance. As a result, the Biloxi economy boomed, attracting new residents and businesses. Biloxi's casino history dates back to the 1940s when open, if technically illegal, gambling occurred in a casino within the Broadwater Beach Resort. The Mississippi Gulf Coast became known as the "Poor Man's Riviera" and was frequented by Southern families interested in fishing expeditions during the summer. Commercially, Biloxi was dominated by shrimp boats and oyster luggers. In 1959, a group of eight black friends was asked to leave a beach in Biloxi by a police officer. The group organized peaceful protests called the Biloxi Wade-Ins, which led to the desegregation of Biloxi's beaches. However, the protests were followed by a violent racial riot in 1960, resulting in the death of ten individuals and marking the worst racial riot in Mississippi history. Biloxi emerged as a southern vacation destination in the 1960s, with hotels upgrading amenities and offering excellent seafood cuisine. In the 1990s, the introduction of legal gambling transformed Biloxi into a resort casino industry center, bringing in tourism revenue. Biloxi's economy is now based on seafood, tourism, and gaming. Biloxi has been hit by several hurricanes, with Hurricane Katrina in 2005 causing massive damage. The storm surge devastated many buildings, including the St. Michael's Catholic Church, and over 40 Mississippi libraries were damaged beyond repair. Hurricane Katrina claimed 53 victims in Biloxi, and many casinos were destroyed. Several casinos have since reopened, and plans have been laid out to rebuild the waterfront areas.