Alphabet File page 29
History – Chronological
1699
First European Visitors - Iberville & Bienville, 1699. Fort built on beach between deMontluzin and Carroll in December 1699.
1802
Referred to as Bay St. Louis in baptism dated 1802.
Bay St. Louis c. 1802, Shieldsboro December 1817 to March 2, 1875.
1818
Incorporated, Jan. 1818 as Shieldsboro Incorporated 1844 Custom House moved to Bay St. Louis from Pearlington (PC&C p 22)
1850
The Bay of St. Louis possesses the great advantage of being nearest the city (only 60 miles) so that merchants and men of business may go over and see their families without being long absent from their duties. The mail from New Orleans arriving two or three hours before that of Mobile, enables merchants and others to reply to the letters sent them from the city by the return mail. The Bay of St. Louis is one of the most ancient French settlements on the sea-coast. Long before ships passed up through the Mississippi, and new Orleans had become a town, this place was the harbor of the small French vessels which conducted the commerce of the French colonies along the Mississippi, passing up through Lake Maurepas, the Amite, the Iberville, and thence up as far as Vincennes, Indiana. (Daily Delta, N.O. May 15, 1850 - VF Hotels)
1851 - Coroner: W. A. Beecher, Esq. (MJS BSL 41)
1851, July 18
We can take any of the boats that leave daily the wharf at the end of the railroad and shortly after partaking of the splendid dinner on board find ourself at the wharf of the venerable Bay St. Louis which long ere this great city was founded or thought of, when Chartres, Royal and Canal Streets were the undisturbed home of the frog, the snake, the alligator, was a respectable shipping town of Old France, whence boats departed for the French settlements on the Upper Mississippi;, passing through Lakes Maurepas and Manchac.
It is now a great summer resort of our citizens, who have many little cottages here, protected and overshadowed by fine old oaks. A Very pleasant residence it is, indeed, for families with good bathing, abundance of fish and fruit, and of very convenient distance from the city for business people who cannot be away long.
There is a very comfortable Hotel at the Bay (the Clifton) kept by a courteous and agreeable gentleman, (Mr. Lovis) who spares no trouble to render his visitors comfortable. (Daily Delta Fri. Jul. 18, 1851 -VF Hotels)
1851, August 13
A most delightful entertainment was offered last Saturday (Aug. 9, 1851) to the denizens and visitors of the Bay in the shape of a grand ball, given at the Hotel. Lewis (Lovis) the propriator, is an excellent business man in his line, and his guests are treated to abundance, comfort and amusement, with the liberality of one who understands the management of a house.
A most glittering and beautiful firmament smiled upon the sports of the evening, and carriages fast set up in rows before the Hotel, conveying the belles of the place from the nice little village of Gatesville (Gainesville?) and farthest extremity of the Bay.
Never should we have dreamed such bevies of the fair could be collected for such an occasion in a place of such limited extent as the one from which we write, and surely we were surprised to see the spacious ball room completely decorated and filled with a galaxy which rivaled in beauty of person and dress, any reunion which it has been our lot to cast our eyes upon, not excepting our city parties. It would be unjust in your correspondent to select from the many, a few of those whom he admired, and add to a description of their features and costumes a list of their initials. In the gaiety and joviality of the ball, all mingled with equal delight to the small hours of Sunday, and the company broke up about two, after a sumptuous and delicious supper.
Governor Walker and General Downs were the dignitaries we distinguished in the crowd of beaux.
Not dwelling at the Hotel ourself, we rely upon the reports of its guests for the high opinion we have formed of its management. (Daily Delta Wed Aug. 13, 1851 p 2 c 3 - VF Hotels)
1858 - January: incorporated as Shieldsboro. (incorrect. The first incorporation of Shieldsboro was Jan. 21, 1818. The second incorporation was in 1838. The 1858 date was an error but was celebrated by the City as its Centenial. Information by CHG.)
1867- From the time Hancock County was created in 1812 the site of the county seat jumped around erratically. At different times Court was held at Bay St. Louis and Pearlington, then at a place called Center, but most at Gainesville, which between 1812 and the War between the States was an important shipping center. About 1846 it looked as though it would remain at Gainesville. But in 1853 the Court House at Gainesville burned down and court activities subsequently moved to Bay St. Louis, but not until 1867, two years after the war, was an official action taken. That was when the Legislature authorized an election to determine the permanent location of the County Seat. There was intense rivalry. The Gainesville supporters claimed the most votes and the County Board then known as Police Board elected to stay at Gainesville. But the Circuit Court decided that Shieldsboro had received the "majority of legal votes" ¬a wording which suggests ballot stuffing. Anyhow the County Seat came to Bay St. Louis then officially incorporated as Shieldsboro. (Sun Herald July 29, 1958)
1875
The city occupied a small cottage located on the beach front at the extreme north corner of the premises of St. Joseph's. Later this building was used as the first home of the Hancock County Bank. (Echo Jubilee 1942 pg. 27).
The first mayor was P. C. Monet and John B. Toulme was secretary. (Echo Jubilee 1942 pg. 27).
The city of Bay St. Louis was incorporated on 2 Mar 1875.
Bay St. Louis vs. Shieldsborough - What's in a name?
Some confusion exists about the name history of what is now known as Bay St. Louis. Initially incorporated as Shieldsborough, it had always been known as Bay St. Louis, thanks to the name of the adjacent body of water. It didn't help matters much that even official documents used wichever name they preferred, regardless of official charters.