Moss Point – a friendly place

“Where the past blends with the future.”

The Historic River City

D’Iberville, the French explorer founded his colony in nearby Biloxi in 1699, but it was about a century later before there was any activity around Moss Point.  Forests near Moss Point supplied, in turn, the French, Spanish, and British navies with spars for their sailing war ships and armadas.

Jackson County was organized in 1812.  The county was named for Andrew Jackson, who had visited the territory.  Following the Battle of New Orleans, some of its men settled at Moss Point.  Other early settlers from North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia came by way of Greene County to establish thriving sawmill businesses.  Shallow-draft schooners loaded lumber for foreign ports in Europe, Mexico, South America, and Cuba.

At one time, Moss Point’s post office was designated as Elder’s Ferry, but it was “Mossey Point” to logging men and raft riders.

During the Civil War, the sawmills came to a halt, when a column of Union troops marched down the river road and took over the town and the mills.

After the Civil War, the lumber and sawmill business revived, and by the close of the century, Moss Point was a lumber empire.  In the late 1890’s and early 1900’s there were twelve sawmills on the river, and all but three are in Moss Point within a radius of less than one mile.

Moss Point, better known in foreign countries for many years than in the United States, was recognized as the largest pine lumber export center until around 1910.

Moss Point was incorporated in 1901, and was the first and only community in Mississippi to be incorporated as a city before first being a village or a town.  By then, Moss Point had a population of about 3,000.  The city has shown many population increases and is now at approximately 20,000.

Come See For Yourself

Moss cascading through the branches of magnificent live oak trees.  Beautiful magnolias, stately pines, and shade trees are everywhere including pecan, cedar, maple and dogwood.  Flowering shrubs, azaleas, camellias, bridal wreath, wisteria and crepe myrtle are also in abundance.  Beautiful old homes and historic churches enhance the quaint city.  The junction of two rivers, Pascagoula and Escatawpa, are also located here, where clear lakes and bayous abound.  Moss Point is truly a beautiful sight to see.

Opportunities for everyone

Water sports – fishing, boating, skiing and swimming are here for your year round pleasure.  Outstanding playgrounds and recreational centers.  Convenient shopping centers.  Schools, library, churches, and medical care are easily accessible.  Meaningful family lifestyles make Moss Point a haven for retired people, where being a good neighbor is a way of life. Enjoy experiences that last a lifetime. – Come to Moss Point.

Moss Point Historic River City

Moss Point is located 100 miles east of New Orleans - 38 miles west of Mobile.  Moss Point is an excellent place to live, work and play.  Come experience an adventure in the “Good Life”.

Community Data

Location – Mississippi Gulf Coast, 38 miles west of Mobile,  100 miles east of New Orleans.  Easily accessible to Interstate 10 and U.S. Highways 613 and 63.  Climate – average temperature, 65.6 degrees Fahrenheit:  average rainfall, 71.58 inches.

Population – Moss Point:  18,000 – Jackson County:  116,000.

Government – The city of Moss Point is governed by a mayor and a board of seven aldermen elected to serve for four years.

Education – The city maintains a fine public school system with one high school, eight grade schools, and a vocational building where additional courses in woodwork, shop work, home economics, etc., are available.

Junior Colleges and Universities – Jackson County campuses of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and University of Southern Mississippi, with a wide range of academic and technical courses, are located approximately 7 miles west of Moss Point.

Library – Moss Point City Library offers a wide range of services and information.

Hospital and Medical Care – Singing River Hospital is just minutes away, south on U.S. Highway 90 in Pascagoula.  24-hour emergency room facilities staffed with physicians.

Churches – Moss Point has over 55 churches representing all denominations.  All will welcome you.

Utilities – Electric power service is furnished by Mississippi Power Company.  Municipal system supplied by United Gas.  Telephone service by South Central Bell.  Moss Point also provides modern fire and police protection, adequate sewage treatment and garbage pick-up service.  Water provided by six (city-owned) artesian wells.

Rail Lines – Mississippi Export Railroad, CSXT Railroad.

Air Lines – Continental Express, American, Delta, USAir, Northwest, and Continental at Mobile Regional and Gulfport-Biloxi Regional within 36  to 45 miles to the east or west, respectively. Private and Corporate air service available at nearby Trent Lott International Airport.

Motels and Restaurants – Easy access to motels providing over 600 excellent room accommodations with amenities.  Many fine local and national restaurants available.

Recreational Programs – Neighborhood parks and playgrounds, a riverfront community and recreational center offer complete programs and activities for all ages.

Golf – Six golf courses available within minutes of city limits.

Industry – A wide range of manufacturing plants include specialty chemicals, polymers, wood pallets, fish meal, boats and barges.  A large selection of industrial and business type sites available.

For more information contact:

Office of the Mayor

City of Moss Point

4412 Denny Street

Moss Point, MS  39563