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COAST BUYER S GUIDE
870 r f. May 3, 1978
Mf?C'UJf ?N:
Ames Kergosien
During the early 1900?s, Dr. Alphonse A. Kergosien left his native Fenton, Mississippi, and moved his family to Bay St. Louis. Because of a physical condition which developed he soon had to give up his medical practice. After serving as chancery clerk for awhile, Dr. Kergoisien opened the Beach Drug Store.
It was a typical drug store of the era, with the soda fountain so well-remembered by many of us and the general-store-type gatherings of both local people and those passing through the area.
Dr. Kergosien's son, Laurent L., became a pharmacist in the drug store and enjoyed visiting with the customers and joining in their discussions.
At this point in our city's history, maybe
twelve to fifteen hundred people would pour into Bay St. Louis and Waveland on weekends. Horsedrawn taxies would carry these "weekenders" from the excursion trains to the many hotels and boarding houses which then served the area.
Many local people enjoyed earning extra money would be driving the carriages, hauling the luggage, or selling fish sandwiches and beverages to the travelers.
But for young Laurent Kergosien a new service began its growth. He really entered the real estate business by accident.
As people poured in on weekends to enjoy the beaches and the Bay's hospitality, there was less and less room at the hotels and rooming houses. People were constantly asking the young pharmacist in his parent's drug store if he knew where they could find lodging for a weekend - or maybe a place they could purchase and stop having to worry about renting every time they visited the area.
Laurent set up a large bulletin board in Beach Drug Store where he kept posted news of any local room, cottage or house for sale or for rent. The visitors soon learned they could contact this
pleasant young man and he would do his best to help them find lodging. Soon he was running a small real estate business between handing out prescriptions.
After his mother's death during the mid-1940's, Laurent went solely into real estate, leaving the drug store to run the business from his home. Later the firm rented an office on Main Street. Laurent's wife, Thelma, taught school at Our Lady of the Gulf.
Ames Kergosien joined his father in the
realty business after majoring in real estate (and also studying insurance) in college. The insurance portion of the business was added at this time.
The new office building was erected at the present location on Highway 90 hear the Bay Bridge during 1970, and the company moved into its new quarters.
Ames, now head of the firm of L. L. Kergosien and Son Realty & Insurance Company, is ably assisted by his present staff: Janet Hitt, Maria Artigues, and Jerry Seuzeneau. Laura Fleischmann and Nan-nette Stroh are secretaries for the insurance portion of the business.
Ames is married to the former Rosalie Wagner, and the couple have six children, including two sets of twins, ranging in age from ten months to thirteen years.
Kergosien Realty and Insurance Company is an asset to our community. We appreciate learning of its history.