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GHOSTS OF GAINSVILLE TELL AMERICAN SAGA
You are visiting one of the most historic spots In America. Indians, explorers, pirates, soldiers, space scientists, and astronauts have walked on the same grounds that make up the SSC area.
Back in the early 1700s the French came first and settled along a river, which after sampling Ms large oysters, they hopefully christened Pearl niver. This area was a paradise for trapping, hunting, and fishing, with an abundance ol timber for building.
PIRATE HIDEOUT
During these early days, the Gulf Coast and Ihe Pearl River became a favorite haunt and hideout for pirates and outlaw bands The Inlets, rivers, and bayous were popular with Ihe pirates who held up ships in the Gulf ot Mexico and escaped up Ihe Pearl River to the numerous islands to hide and dispose of their booty.
A little settlement on the Pearl River, owned by Ambrose Gaines, became known as Gainesville, and was one of three most important settlements in Mississippi, from New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama.
At one time the town of Gainesville was headquarters of the famous pirate, Pierre Ramaux, known as the King of Honey fs/and. This freebooter built warehouses in Gainesville to house the loot he got from plundering ships in Ihe Gulf.
JACKSON'S ARMY CAMPED HERE
In 1814, General Andrew Jackson and his army camped near Gainesville on their way to the battle ot New Orleans. At this time Pierre Ramaux and his men joined General Jackson to fight against the British. Jean LaFitte and his pirate band also joined Jackson's army as they moved into position for the battle at Chalmette.
During the battle, Ramaux decided thal Jackson couldn't win against the British, so he and his men deserted to the British and were killed during the battle LaFitte and his men stayed with Jackson and became heroes by providing supplies and reinforcements that turned the tide of the battle for the Americans.
Many of the soldiers from Jackson's Army returned to make their homes in the Pearl River country after they were mustered out of the service. The years that followed were turbulent In Ihis wilderness where there was little law enforcement to protect the residents.
UNDER SIX FLAGS
As wars were fought In Europe, this land changed hands many times with the French turning it over to the Spanish, who in turn lost It back to Ihe French. Following the defeat of Napoleon by the British, the area again came under a different rule.
With French, Spanish, and English land grants In effect, many ot the settlers had difficulty retaining possession of their lands, so they broke away and formed the country of West Florida with their own flag. Realizing they could never hold out against major powers, the landowners of the new nation petitioned the United States to become a part of that new country. Some of the land became a part of Louisiana and part joined Mississippi, with the Pearl River as the dividing line.
Thus, the settlers of this area of our land lived under six flags: Spain, France, England. West Florida, the Confederacy, and the United States flags, absorbing much of the heritage of each.
OUTLAWS AND ROYALTY HERE TOO!
One of the most famous outlaws ever to be recorded in the history of Mississippi was James Copeland and his gang. The Copeland Gang roamed the area from the late IBXs until Copeland was captured and hanged in 1857. During this time, the Copeland Gang was feared from Mobile. Alabama, and the Gulf Coasl area to the Pearl River It has been said that Copeland buried vast amounts of gold and loot in Ihe arpa that has never been found.
Another bizarre chapter of history occurred when Jerome Bonaparte, a brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, came to the area to collect and arrange a ransom for Napoleon so that he could return to power. Fear of pirates and outlaws caused Jerome to bury some $80,000 under an oak tree near the settlement later to be known as Napoleon When the scheme failed, Jerome returned to Europe and according to local folklore was never able to return and dig up the S80.000.
FEDERAL GUNBOAT SUNK
During the Civil War, the little town of Pearlington was bombarded by the Federal gunboat, WABASH. Citizens of Ihe little community hid out in the swamps until the gunboat headed on up the river towards Gainesville.
With all the young river pilots fighting away from home and the older pilots hidden out in Ihe swamps, the gunboat commander tried to navigate the Pearl without a pilot. About a mile above the settlement of Logtown, the ship crashed into an obstruction and sank. Even now the ship can be seen at low tide or when the water is very clear.
r	Though records mention very little about Ihe Civil War In this particular area, Yankee Iroops
were stationed In Pearlington and Gainesville to commandeer food stuffs and supplies Ihey needed. Since the Pearl River was an Important artery for the transportation of food and supplies, Federal ships and troops were in Ihe area continually.
After the Civil War. the sawmill at Pearlington became the world's largest, with a capacity of 200,000 board feet per day.
As coastal and area towns grew larger and transportation systems improved, the population of the little fowns of Gainesville, Pearlington, Westonla, Logtown, and Napoleon gradually dwindled along with the river traffic, until they became virtual ghost towns of a bygone era
A NEW ERA DAWNS
When the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) decided to locale the giant Mississippi Test Facility on the bank of the East Pearl River, the area was sparsely populated; nonetheless, a few families were required to relocate in order to make possible the facility that was to play such a vital role In the United States' mission to reach the moon.
The ghosts of early settlers, river pirates, and outlaw bands have felt Ihe vibration and heard the roar of giant rocket stages as they were tested and retested to prove their strength prior to undertaking their momentous journey to the moon Today, these same ghosts, if they listen, will stlM hear the more subdued sounds of the Space Shuttle engines being tested in our nation's continuing quest to reap knowledge and benefits from space.
Other changes are quietly taking place in ways that do not disturb the sleep of the early denizens of this historic area. The Mississippi Test Facility, which became National Space Technology Laboratories (NSTl) and which is now named the John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC), Is currently concerned with employing space technology developed during Ihe sixties and early seventies to conserve and improve our environment.
Inspired by past history, we here today are still seeking —the treasures of knowledge—the frontiers of enlightenment May we too succeed!