Page 82 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2021

story and photos courtesy of the City of Moss Point
For the better part of three centuries, the City of Moss Point has thrived along the banks of the Pascagoula River and has been home to French colonials, the Mohocti Indians and
the Spanish settlers. Influences of all of its past people are present in modern day Moss Point where history, cultures and environmental beauty collide.
The beauty of Moss Point can be seen from afar by travelers on Interstate 10 traveling over the Pascagoula River and its marshes. But to truly experience the beauty of Moss Point, veering off the Interstate at Exit 68 becomes a gateway into nostalgia and beauty.
The name Moss Point is a derivative of past names of the territory of Mossy Point because of the beauty created from
its moss-draped, ancient Live Oak trees. The setting created
by nature along Lover’s Lane has become a favorite spot for photographers looking to capture the beauty of not only the subject but also the scenery. Along the moss and trees are stately homes that date back to the early 1800s, and remnants of a
once-thriving lumber industry can be seen along the banks of the Pascagoula and Escatawpa Rivers.
The heart of Moss Point is only a short mile south of Interstate 10 where a beautiful boardwalk lines the Riverfront Park. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely walk, dropping a line into the brackish waters, or peering across the river to get a glimpse of one of the Bald Eagles that call the waterfront area home.
The small, quaint, downtown storefronts include one of the oldest lunch counters or “fountains” along the gulf coast. Stepping through the doors of Burnham-McKinney Pharmacies is a step back in time where guests can enjoy a scoop of ice cream, a cool malt or milkshake, or a full meal. Daily specials are a favorite of locals and employees of area businesses. While in Burnham’s, take time to fill a prescription, grab some household items, peruse the variety of greeting cards, or purchase a gift for an upcoming bride or parent-to-be.
A stone’s throw away from Burnham’s is the Pascagoula River Audubon Center (PRAC), one of 41 nature centers across the
82 | August 2021
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MOSS POINT