Mississippi, Bay St. Louis - Saturday, November 9, 2013 - Old Town Bay St. Louis

In 2005 most of Bay St. Louis was taken out by Hurricane Katrina.  One of the places that made it through the hurricane was our first stop today – their historic train depot which now houses the visitor’s center.

 

The depot which was originally built in 1876 is on the National Register of Historic Places.  Fifty years after the original train depot was built, the structure was destroyed during a catastrophic fire.  The Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company (L&N) rebuilt the depot again in 1929.  The Spanish Mission building was the only depot of its size and structure ever built by L&N in America.

Tennessee Williams picked the grounds of the depot to film “This Property is Condemned” starring Robert Redford and Natalie Wood.

Following Hurricane Katrina, city government and health care services were based at the depot.  Both military and civilian volunteers slept on the grounds for months following the storm.

There is a beautiful display of Mardi Gras costumes at the depot.  We were the only ones in the building and the visitor’s center guide was very informative.  However, since I wasn’t aware of the Mardi Gras process, I was having a little trouble keeping up with all of the information she was giving.

These costumes are on loan from individuals who wore them during the 2011 Mardi Gras season.  This costume was worn by the captain of the krewe (this is the part where she lost me).  I think the krewe is the Krewe of Nereids since the sign mentions Nereids.  I don’t think she mentioned what Nereid is.  I do remember that she said “A Fais do do” was loosely translated as “party after the kids go to bed”.  This gown cost approximately $10,000.  At that price I’d have to wear it more than one year!  Can you imagine how much that alligator thing weighs?  I wanted so bad to touch it, but the sign said no.

 

 

 

 

All of these costumes were made by Carter Church Designs which is located in Bay St. Louis.  I think she said he made costumes for about four other krewes also.

 

 

 

The visitor’s center representative was particularly proud of this sculpture by Dayle Lewis – he’s from Richmond, IN.

 

She told us one thing we had to see was the “Angel Tree” carved by Dayle Lewis after Hurricane Katrina.  She said Mr. Lewis walked around this tree for four days and prayed to God to help him interpret what type of sculpture to do.  After that it took him 5 days with a chain saw to carve the design, 1 day to stain it and on the 7^th day he rested.  She said that when we saw it we would know that God did indeed guide him.

It is awe inspiring

 

 

 

 

 

While we were visiting the Angel Tree, a train came through town and headed out over the Bay.

 

 

We walked through the small downtown area of Bay St. Louis and visited the shops.  One of the shops had this cute dress on display.  It won first prize in some contest the town had to promote recycling.  It is made entirely out of paper bags.

This bar and grill, The Blind Tiger, was doing a booming business today. 

We stopped at Buttercup on Second Street for some ice cream.  Our National Geographic 10 Best of Everything book said that this is one of the ten best ice cream spots in the Gulf States area.  I don’t know about that, but it is kind of cute.  This shop was one of the first new businesses to open in Bay St. Louis after Hurricane Katrina.