At the turn of the 19th century, the Louisville and Nashville railroad station at Bay St. Louis was considered to be the prettiest station on the line between New Orleans and Mobile. Meeting the dollar excursion train from New Orleans morning and evening was an outstanding attraction during the summer season. In the evening, the railroad depot served as a promenade for thousands. Not only were the travelers coming and going but the town residents added to the throng. Meeting the excursions was always “ somewhere to go,” in the evening or on a Sunday afternoon. Going “down to the depot” to meet the train was the popular thing to do. Vendors sold sandwiches and pralines to the travelers and promenaders adding to the carnival atmosphere.
At least forty or fifty public hacks or cabs met all trains and there was keen competition to capture a fare to take them to their hotel or boarding house, or perhaps to one of the small Victorian cottages close by rented by the week or month.
The pretty little station played quite an important role in the lives of the people in Bay St. Louis. It is no wonder then after the station was destroyed by fire February 29, 1928, another was planned almost immediately. On Saturday evening, April 20, 1929, the new two story stucco depot built for the L & N by Lionel Favret, general contractor of new Orleans, was opened with a dedication ceremony planned by the people of Bay St. Louis. They had watched the progress of the work with a great deal of interest and excitement. Shortly before its completion they informed Agent John A. Green that they wanted to express their appreciation with a short ceremony and entertainment. The date was set and Mr. Green turned the depot over to the city officials, chamber of commerce, and Rotary Club.
About 7:00 PM, April 20, 1929, a large crowd began gathering and before the evening was over reached “five or six hundred in number, men, women, and children.” A great number of L & N employees from “points along the division” were also present. According th an article in the L & N Magazine, published monthly at Louisville, Kentucky, “excellent music was furnished by Saucier’s Orchestra, local syncopators.” The entire building was lighted up and open to the public. Numerous baskets of flowers were placed within the building, and Agent Green received telegrams of congratulations and gifts for his office and desk. Ladies on the committee kept busy serving punch to the thirsty revelers.
After all had inspected the building, guests were seated on chairs placed on the concrete platform. Mr. C.C. Mc Donald , well know merchant and president of the Chamber of Commerce, acting as chairman, praised the magnificent building which the L & N had built for the people of Bay St. Louis. He then introduced , “Mississippi’s silver-tongue orator, Senator Carl Marshall, son of Charles Marshall who had for many years been Superintendent of the New Orleans & Mobile Division.
Chairman McDonald next introduced Colonel L.L. Morton, Superintendent who stated that the building and improvements had cost $70,000. He praised the work of Lionel Favret, who built the depot. Next on the program Chairman McDonald introduced Emile J. Gex, local attorney for the L & N who gave a touching tribute to the 54 years of service and faithfulness of Agent Green to the L & N railroad. The gala ended at 10:00 PM, just as the American rolled into the station.