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onset of the War of 1312. In the last year of this war British operations took place along the off shore Gulf Coast islands in preparation for the attack on New Orleans, which was defeated by General Andrew Jackson and his forces in January, 1815.
Under American rule, the Gulf Coast began to find itself economically. After establishing an economic base in fisheries, it developed as a port area for the interior region. Meanwhile, it developed a trade in wool, regional stores, and lumber. Eventually, the special virtues of its climate distinguished the coast *s a rest and playground area; and the making of the "Mississippi Gold Coast" was under way. The popularity of the coast as a rest and vacation land was strengthened after the Civil War through the building of the railroads, first the Louisville & Nashville and, at the end of the century, the Gulf &Ship Island, now part of the Illinois Central system. With the building of the railroads, the coast was able to tap the tourist trade on a national basis.
Significant of the new day, economically speaking, was the building of the city of Gulfport, which grew out of the dream of two men, namely; Judge W. H. Hardy and Captain Joseph T. Jones. The former planned and the latter carried out the plans for a railroad to Hattiesburg and Jackson. In 1837, Gulfport was chosen as the terminus of this railroad. At the same time, efforts to develop the harbor facilities resulted in the opening of a channel for sea-going vessals in 1902.
Since 1900, the entire Gulf Coast has enjoyed the benefits of considerable industrial expansion which have brought many profitable industries, stimulating the growth of business and financial enterprises. Seafood canneries, especially in the Biloxi area have been a vital part of this development, and the coast has