Tell Me About Biloxi (Gulfport, Ocean Springs: crime rate, house, buyers)

[the_little_truth_writer]

I have only visited Mississippi once in my lifetime. It was in the Summer in the 1960s. I visited Biloxi. I recall it as being a very peaceful, relaxed, small town. Nature seemed to flourish there. I recall being impressed that it must have been an area of little crime populated by decent, honest people because all along the highway I saw little wooden stands displaying various temptations such as strawberries, eggs, and jars of golden honey. Buyers were on the honour system. They took what they wanted and left the money in a locked box. People must have been honest; otherwise, I would not have expected to see so many of these stands along the roadside.

A lot of years have passed since I visited (must have been around 1965-1966 to the best of my recollection). What is Biloxi like today? Would it be a peaceful, serene place to spend one's last years? Is it much the same as I remember it? If not, what all has changed?

Thanks .

[jhadorn]

Wow, roadside stands on the honor system? I don't think that would work anywhere in today's society, also I think you have a romanticized view of 1960's Biloxi. Read about the "Biloxi Wade-In".

When I hear people say the 1950's/1960's were the good old days I have to ask the question "For who?". Not black people. Don't get me wrong, there were many places throughout this country that displayed the same intolerance, but wrong is wrong.

As for the current state of Biloxi, and I really like Biloxi, but crime there is higher than the Mississippi average. In some categories much higher. With that said, it's probably like most other places with the majority of crime being contained in certain areas and certain crowds. Your forum name is the_little_truth_writer, so I shared the truth as I see it.

[dwashington]

Originally Posted by jhadorn

When I hear people say the 1950's/1960's were the good old days I have to ask the question "For who?". Not black people.

Um.. The other 88% of the country? You answered your own question right after you asked it.

[jhadorn]

Originally Posted by dwashington

Um.. The other 88% of the country? You answered your own question right after you asked it.

Did you understand what I was saying? It was a rhetorical question meant to display a point.

I am fully aware, unlike some others, that the "good old days" weren't so good for a specific group of people.

[the_little_truth_writer]

Originally Posted by jhadorn

Wow, roadside stands on the honor system? I don't think that would work anywhere in today's society, also I think you have a romanticized view of 1960's Biloxi. Read about the "Biloxi Wade-In".

When I hear people say the 1950's/1960's were the good old days I have to ask the question "For who?". Not black people. Don't get me wrong, there were many places throughout this country that displayed the same intolerance, but wrong is wrong.

As for the current state of Biloxi, and I really like Biloxi, but crime there is higher than the Mississippi average. In some categories much higher. With that said, it's probably like most other places with the majority of crime being contained in certain areas and certain crowds. Your forum name is the_little_truth_writer, so I shared the truth as I see it.

I never mentioned anything about "good old days." I simply recounted a memory of visiting Biloxi many years ago and finding it to be a rather sleepy, bucolic town where at least some level of commerce functioned on the honour system. My question had nothing to do with racial tensions but the feeling the town gave me at that time. That is all.

I am sorry to hear that the crime rate there is so high. Perhaps I should never visit again and instead hold on to my memories of a lazy Summer from long, long ago.

[dwashington]

Originally Posted by jhadorn

Did you understand what I was saying? It was a rhetorical question meant to display a point.

I am fully aware, unlike some others, that the "good old days" weren't so good for a specific group of people.

Yes but what did that have to do with this thread? This person never even said anything about the good old days.. You did..

[DeanGuitarist]

Originally Posted by jhadorn

Wow, roadside stands on the honor system? I don't think that would work anywhere in today's society, also I think you have a romanticized view of 1960's Biloxi. Read about the "Biloxi Wade-In".

When I hear people say the 1950's/1960's were the good old days I have to ask the question "For who?". Not black people. Don't get me wrong, there were many places throughout this country that displayed the same intolerance, but wrong is wrong.

As for the current state of Biloxi, and I really like Biloxi, but crime there is higher than the Mississippi average. In some categories much higher. With that said, it's probably like most other places with the majority of crime being contained in certain areas and certain crowds. Your forum name is the_little_truth_writer, so I shared the truth as I see it.

We just recently visited Biloxi last month. During the weekend of the Blue Angels. We read about the wade in near the lighthouse.

[Lizap]

Biloxi is NOTHING like it was back then. I grew up during this time and we visited the area often. We still live near here. Many of the local businesses have been replaced by casinos. IMHO, the Mississippi Gulf Coast has changed and NOT for the better.

[buildings_and_bridges]

I'm too young to remember anything like what you're described being anywhere, OP, but there are places along the MS Gulf Coast that have the appeal of a small town and very friendly Southerners. Bay St. Louis and Ocean Springs come to mind.

[rjf1958]

I visited Biloxi and New Orleans in January of this year. Biloxi has been severely damaged by the hurricane and there are many vacant lots in the waterfront area. There's not really a town center any more, I guess the hub is the Beau Rivage casino and ballpark area. People were very pleasant and they really downplay the state flag (only place we saw one on the coastline was at the Elks club, where they had US and state flags interspersed in front of their building).

My wife loved the Half Shell Oyster House if you like seafood. My take on the whole MS coast is that Biloxi and Gulfport are really declining, Ocean Springs is a pleasant town, and Bay St. Louis is nice as well. The weather has hurt this part of the country very badly.