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which was built in 195^ at a cost of nine million dollars, d'Iberville named the body of water it spans in honor of King Louis IX of Prance — crusader — explorer — and Saint.
Later on his brother, Jean Baptiste le Moyne Bienville,
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explored the shore line on August 25, 1099 — which happened to be the Feast Day of Saint Louis,^and he named the land Bay St. Louisj^in honor of that distinguished saint.
At that time, of course, the Bay of Saint Louis could only be crossed by a strong swimmer, by raft or by boat. In early days of settlement a ferry ran from Henderson Point to Bay Saint Louis on a rather irregular schedule. Then, in 1928 a wooden bridge was built which was replaced in 195^ by the bridge we are now crossing. When we get to the center of the bridge we are in Hancock CountyJ The county was named for John Hancock, first signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Please look to your left. Running parallel to our Bay Bridge is the railroad bridge. The railroad was responsible to a large extent in the development of our county. First there was the M&KXXg New Orleans-Mobile-XKXXXK&K&flhattanooga of 1872 which^in 18?8jwas purchased by Louisville and Nashville.