Alphabet File page 384
The residents of Waveland, and those who own property and go there for the summer, are especially interested in the movement, as they rightly assume that it will rebound greatly to the welfare of the pretty little city over on the coast.
The scheme to organize a yachting club at Waveland, and to build a clubhouse there, assumed a tangible shape yesterday (Monday) and half an hour after the plans were written out a number of signatures of well-known yachtsmen were secured. The gentlemen in charge of the undertaking are very enthusiastic and confident that the scheme will meet with unbounded success. The plans as set forth are as follows:
WAVELAND, Miss., July 17, 1893.
The superiority of the adjacent waters for regatta purposes having been conclusively demonstrated, the yachting loving people of Waveland have determined to organize a club, which will afford the very best facilities for this most enjoyable and healthful of sports.
Their plans include the erection in Mississippi Sound, near the channel's edge, of a permanent clubhouse, on solid foundations and raised upon pillars. These headquarters to contain all the modern conveniences and comforts appertaining to the best class of such institutions.
To assure success it is proposed to at first obtain 100 subscribers of $100 cash each payment to be made by installments as construction progresses. The 100 subscribers will organize the permanent yacht club, membership in which may be for life upon the payment of $50 or by the purchase of a $25 share of stock with annual dues. Original subscribers will be enabled thus to dispose of their surplus shares.
The original subscribers are: Paul Conrad, L.H. Fairchild, Peter Hellwege, G. E. Sears, Chas. Janvier, Jno. B. Fell, William Blake, Otto Elmer, Jules Malzerat, H. P. Dart, S. F. Heaslip and B. D. Coleman. (SCE 7/22/1893)
"Waverly Cottage", 214 S. Beach (became Clifton Hotel in 1894, burned 1907)
Hop given at Waverly House by Mrs. Chevalley, Mrs J. C. Beard, Mrs. G. Maloney, Mrs. Boutcher, Mrs. Dora Chevalley and Mesdames Hymel, Inge, and Richard. Attended by little folk: Baby Clifford Beard, Agnes Chevalley, Mary Blumers, Ida Villars, Blanche Avery, Ida Hyme, May and Gertie Boutcher, Marie Ruby, Josie Flanner, Bertha Inge, Babe Reid, John and Sam Crawford, Louis Maloney, James and Bernie Reid and others. Dancing afterward were: Misses Annie Crawford, Eve Loret, Annie Melancon of Biloxi, M. Lored, Bertha Blumer, Tillie Beard, Katie, Flora and Lizzie Walker, Stella Villard, Corine DeMontluzin, Mrs. George Bernos, and Messrs. Lemarie, Madison, Hymel, Boucher, Martinez and others along with Drs. Beard, Maloney and Walker and Prof Kernan. (Daily Picayune 21 Aug 1888 pg 6).
Our old friend, Mr. Gus E. McCune, is a very welcome visitor to the Bay this week, the guest of the Waverley Cottage. Mr. McCune, though not quite out of his teens yet, is the brilliant editor of the New Orleans Advance, the only dramatic paper South. (SCE 8/6/1892)
Mr. Alfred Walker, of New Orleans and universally known in the Bay, spent Sunday here, the guest of the Waverly cottage. (SCE/10/22/1892)
Mr. Marion Baker, the brilliant literary editor of New Orleans "Times-Democrate" was a guest of the Waverly cottage this week. (SCE/10/22/1892)
Col. Will Freret and daughter, of New Orleans, are visiting our lovely town, the guests of the Waverly cottage.<SCE 10/22/1892>
Gex - A number of the Bay's young folks agreeably surprised Mr. and Mrs. Gex, of Waverly Cottage, on New Year's eve, and enjoyed a pleasant evening until the new year's advent. (SCE 01/07/1893)
Waverly, Cottage, is being equipped with the gas system for illumination. The Waverly promises of winning great popularity and patronage for the coming summer. (SCE 04/15/1893)
Gex, the Misses, entertained a number of invited guests at an informal reception and dance Wednesday evening. The pretty "Waverly Cottage", was brilliantly illuminated for the occasion, graceful dancers keeping time with the delightful music. Refreshments, etc., were frequently served, and the affair an all-round enjoyable one. (SCE 7/15/1893)
The Waverly Cottage, by L. M. Gex, entertains a houseful of boarders. People will always find out a good thing. (SCE 7/22/1893)
With compliments of the Mrs. Gex, the editor has received an invitation reading this way: "The guests of Waverly Cottage cordially invite you to attend a dance, Saturday evening, July 22nd, Bay St. Louis." (SCE 7/22/1893)
WAVELAND
WAVELAND, City of - AKA Grand Bend - Mentioned in J. A. Cuevas List (VF MJS III 00350) AKA Montgomery Station (ATG page 3)
Waveland was once a part of old Shieldsboro until 1888 when it was granted a charter for a separate municipality. L.H.Fairchild was its first Mayor and Alfred Uklman was the first Treasurer. The town hall was built in 1893 on land donated by Jesse P. Coleman.
There are many traditions and legends surrounding Waveland, many of which originated in the early 1800's. For instance, the "Old Pirate House," or the Blake House, which was built in 1802, has a great deal of mystery surrounding its building and owner. Since its early years the house has passed through many hands and the story goes that it was once the plantation home of a New Orleans business man who was overlord of a band of coast pirates who gave aid to Andrew Jackson in the defense of New Orleans.
It was this man to whom credit is given for organizing the pirate band which was composed of such colorful characters as Pierre and Jean Lafitte and made them into an army of loyal Americans, the name of this man is unknown to later generations.
According to legend a secret tunnel once led from the house to the waterfront.
Waveland suffered tremendous damage from Hurricane Camille in August, 1969. (Hometown Mississippi by James F. Brieger)
City Hall (town hall) built in 1893
Mayors: Alfred A. Ulman, Thomas J. Bourgeois, L. H. Fairchild, Paul Conrad
The "Land of the Waves" has been a long established summer retreat and resort for visitors from New Orleans and Natchez. The permanent population came from the decendents of the original French and Spanish settlers. Local legends arose from the Old Pirate House (Blake House) built in 1802 and destroyed by Camille in 1969 and the Jackson House built in (1840) for Andrew Jackson and destroyed by fire in 1935. An early observer noted "life in Waveland is simple gravitating lazily around swimming, fishing and house parties. Immediately after Labor Day the people return to New Orleans with the certainty and precision of a regiment breaking camp". The natural beauty of the town facing East and the waters of the Mississippi Sound plus the proximity to New Orleans made it an ideal place for children to grow up.