LONG BEACH, Miss. (WLOX) – The Long Beach Historical Society houses photos donated by families over the years, showcasing the city\u2019s history dating back to the 1880s.<\/p>\n
The collection includes old photos of the beach, downtown area and buildings like the former St. Thomas School, which was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re honored to have the history that we have in this town,\u201d said Danny Hansen, whose mother attended the old St. Thomas School.<\/p>\n
Hansen said his wife, Beth, worked with the Historical Society to preserve the city\u2019s history until her death in March 2024. He now encourages Long Beach families to contribute their own historical items.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the main thing that we do is try to keep it preserved. The future our children and grandchildren can enjoy it while we\u2019re trying to put it together here,\u201d Hansen said.<\/p>\n
The photos document Long Beach\u2019s past as the radish capital of the world in the 1890s. Hansen said his grandfather was among the farmers who grew radishes in Long Beach.<\/p>\n
Former Long Beach Mayor Billy Skellie serves as president of the Historical Society. He said one photo shows a home once owned by a local resident who helped launch the Gulfport and Mississippi Coast Traction Company, an electric railway that later evolved into Mississippi Power.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a lot of history that continues to be here because many people stay here, so we get to share that with our members,\u201d Skellie said.<\/p>\n
Another photo shows WJ Quarles, who taught at the first school in Long Beach, with his family in front of their home in 1906. That house still stands on East Old Pass Road.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost of it is exactly like it was, it\u2019s just restored,\u201d Skellie said.<\/p>\n
With America\u2019s 250th birthday approaching, Skellie said he hopes younger generations will help preserve the city\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
\u201cImportant for our nation as a people where we came from, where we\u2019re trying to go, what got us here \u2014 we need to share what was done before us to keep it alive,\u201d Skellie said.<\/p>\n
You can visit the website to make a donation. <\/p>\n