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14 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2009
COURTHOUSE MEMORIES • THE SEA COAST ECHO
side the courthouse on gallows. This particular woman was hanged, but did not die, and so she was let go because the sentence was to only hang her, Karl said.
Is this woman Mrs. Carol? We may never know, but as the supernatural sightings continue to occur, the legend will continue to grow.
Moving towards the 20th century:
By 1981, it was time to make repairs to the courthouse once again. The Grand Old Lady was showing signs of her age and supervisors
embarked on a project to make cosmetic improvements to the building.
The courthouse was described as a "shabby dowager from another era standing among modem surroundings."
The 70 years of service had caused walls to crack and other damage.
"Rain and wind would often whistle through her out-of-plumb and broken windows," Jim Pfeiffer wrote.
In 1986, the antiquated jail behind the courthouse was replaced by a new 132-bed facility across the street,
Wanda Ladner,
Candidate for Supervisor District 5
I have previous experience in Accounting. I would like to use this knowledge to assure that the County's funds are being utilized where they are most needed. I was also employed by the Hancock County School District which gave some understanding of the responsibilities of a committee such as this one. Also, I feel that it is a Supervisor's duty to make decisions based on what is best for Hancock County and on what the residents consider respectable. These are some of my main concerns. Please vote on November 3, 2009.
I am delighted that the historical courthouse has been restored to its previous marvel.
Paid political advertisement by Wanda Ladner.
behind the Sea Coast Echo.
Additionally, the county purchased buildings on Main St. for the building department and tax offices in the '80s. For the first time, the courthouse was no longer a one-stop-shop.
The old jail became useful for office space, which the county desperately needed.
Ironically, the 1986 jail is being demolished this week and the old jail at the courthouse is still there. It was
incorporated into the courthouse renovation plans after Hurricane Katrina and it will be used for storage.
Complying with modern standards:
In 2002, supervisors floated a $2.2 million bond for courthouse renovations.
One of the main reasons for the repairs was to comply with the American Disabilities Standards Act.
The old building had little
in the way of wheelchair ramps and special hearing devices.
The county renovations were supposed to bring the courthouse up to standards and make the building useful for future generations.
That all changed three years later on Aug. 29, 2005.
Hurricane Katrina ripped windows open and flooded the courthouse with rain water. Additionally, storm surge affected the bottom
5r
Echo archive photo by Brent Macey May 14, 1981
The Hancock County Board of Supervisors stand in front of the courthouse during another set of renovations. Pictured from left is county attorney Walter Gex, Chancery Clerk Mike Necaise, Supervisor Bert Courgee (Beat One), Dolph Kellar (Beat Two), Sammy Perniciaro (Beat Four), James Travirca (Beat Five), and Roger Dale Ladner (Beat Three.)
For your restoration efforts to return the most important historic building in Hancock County, its Courthouse, to its true glory... For respecting the architecture heritage of Hancock County and Bay St. Louis, the County Seat...
Welcome home to Main Street!
in A Place Apart
Les Fillingame, Mayor
Bay Saint Louis City Council
Doug Seal, Wendy McDonald, Jeffrey Reed, Robert Compretta, Ray Kidd, Jr., Joey Boudin, William Taylor