Mississippi Gulf Coast · MS
Gulfport
A railroad port built to ship yellow pine.
- Population
- 72,926 (2020 census)
- Incorporated
- July 28, 1898
- Lumber shipped, 1906
- 293 million feet
Then
- 1887
William H. Hardy founds the town as the end of the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad.
- 1898–1902
Philadelphia oilman Joseph T. Jones funds the city and harbor; Gulfport incorporates and the port opens in 1902.
- 1906
Gulfport is the country's largest lumber exporter.
- 1969
Hurricane Camille's 21-foot surge nearly destroys the port.
- 2005
Katrina damages or destroys about 9,500 homes.
Now
The Port of Gulfport is one of the Gulf's busiest, and the Mississippi Aquarium opened in 2020. Fort Massachusetts on Ship Island is part of Gulf Islands National Seashore.