When Water Rose and Winds Raged: Katrina Hits Mississippi
August 31, 2005: The Day Katrina Redefined Mississippi August 31, 2005, remains carved into Mississippi’s memory as a day when the Gulf Coast faced a storm unlike any before. Katrina did more than rearrange the landscape; she left an imprint on the lives of those who witnessed her force. Timber, sand, and shattered foundations still […]
The Gathering Storm: Warnings, Watches and Waiting Before Katrina
Editor’s note: This is our first in a series of video and written pieces commemorating Hurricane Katrina and the way she changed Mississippi forever. Check back through the week for storytelling, facts, and analysis surrounding Mississippi’s biggest natural disaster, as well as our determined and unforgettable, undeniable healing. The Gulf air on August 23, 2005, […]
Echoes of the Mississippi: Visit Fort Rosalie
Perched on the bluffs of present-day Natchez, Mississippi, Fort Rosalie stood as a linchpin of colonial power struggles, indigenous resistance, and imperial ambition. Established in 1716 by the French under Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, the fort was a strategic foothold in securing France’s hold over the Lower Mississippi Valley. However, its history is inextricably […]
Echoes of the Mississippi: Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville
A quick drive along the Mississippi Gulf Coastline will take you through cities like Biloxi, Gulfport, and D’iberville. These cities, obviously boasting a French name, are a result of French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville. Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville (1661–1706), a French-Canadian explorer and military officer, played a pivotal role in the French colonization of […]
Echoes of the Mississippi: An Overview of French Explorers in Mississippi
The history of Mississippi is marked by a tapestry of exploration, conquest, and cultural exchange, beginning with Spanish exploration and leading to a notable period of French occupation. Following the death of the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto in 1542, the region entered a relatively undisturbed era, as the remaining Spanish presence waned and Native […]
Echoes of the Mississippi: Mississippi without De Soto
In 1542, the famed explorer Hernando de Soto met his demise in the wilderness of the Mississippi region, leaving his men stranded in a perilous land fraught with dangers at every turn. As they struggled to navigate their way back to the coast, the men faced relentless hardships, including food shortages and hostile encounters with […]
Echoes of the Mississippi: The End of Hernando de Soto
Hernando de Soto’s expedition across the southeastern United States ended in tragedy in 1542 when he died from a fever, likely yellow fever, near the banks of the Mississippi River. His passing was a significant event for his team, who now faced the challenge of honoring their leader while navigating the complexities of the […]
Echoes of the Mississippi: The Legend of the Singing River
My Meme, Linda Price Hogue, can tell some stories that can make your hair curl. No seriously- she knows some spooky lore. Ever since I was young, spend-the-nights at Meme’s always had a story. The “Big Cat” story has always been one of my favorites. My current favorite is one of her more recent stories […]
Echoes of the Mississippi: Hernando de Soto’s Path into Mississippi
Imagine Hernando de Soto rolling down the Natchez Trace Parkway in a pickup truck, sunglasses on, GPS locked on “Mississippi River,” and a cooler of barbecue in the back—searching for gold and the perfect tailgate spot. While we know De Soto wasn’t cruising in anything quite as comfy as a truck (try horses and armor […]
Echoes of the Mississippi: Who Was Hernando de Soto?
Whenever I first think of Hernando de Soto, I equate him with the fashion of the 16th century. The comically large pantaloon pants, the stockings, feathers and jewels with piles of gold in his eyes. These are things I associate with the great explorer Hernando de Soto. To some extent, this image I have could […]