Page 96 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2024

A History of Heritage
2024 Historic Preservation Awards
story by Lynn Lofton photos courtesy of Mississippi Heritage Trust
Coast history has been honored with three awards from the Mississippi Heritage Trust. Among state sites receiving this year's Historic Preservation Awards are the Quarles House in Long Beach, the Gulfport Transit Center and the World War II Heritage City designation in Pascagoula.
The Quarles House was Long Beach's first school and general store. The Mississippi Heritage Trust installed a roof on the house after Hurricane Katrina, and a $2 million grant was secured to restore the house through the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund. Owners Jim Alexander and Janet Alexander Griffin donated the house and land to the city.
“With the help of Carol Paola, an elementary and gifted teacher, the family was able to stabilize the house and save a piece of Long Beach’s history,” says Long Beach Mayor George Bass. “In addition to the Alexanders, Janet Griffin, Carol
96 | August 2024
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