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PASS CHRISTIAN — Pass Christian has had many things said about it. Folks from New Orleans call it “the rose garden of the Gulf Coast,” others call it “nature’s gift to the Gulf Coast,” but residents call their city simply “The Pass.”
Like many cities here in South Mississippi, Pass Christian took a hard hit from Hurricane Katrina. But with determination and grit, it has begun the long and arduous task of rebuilding.
When some residents were asked why they decided to come back and live, their answers come easily and without hesitation: They love it here, pure and simple.
Mayor Leo “Chipper” McDermott, who was born and raised in Pass Christian, said the city is coming back faster than other coastal areas, mainly due to its being 6 miles long and 1 mile deep. For a long time U.S. 90 was under repair, but it is now complete.
Scenic Drive has always been a coveted property on the Coast for both residential and commercial ventures. The long-awaited new Wal-Mart is expected to opened by Oct. 7. Lizzy’s opened June 11, a new restaurant by Martin Chambers who is one of the owners of The Mockingbird Cafe in Bay St. Louis, opened their doors on Davis Street. Housed in a 1920’s cottage with an ocean view, the restaurant will feature music, barbecue, and beer from around the world. It will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and will also feature a full coffee shop.
“When I saw the building,” Chambers said, “it felt like the right spot.”
One of the many pleasures is driving along Scenic Drive and enjoying the ocean view and the stately homes looking out over the sea. Sadly many of the antebellum homes that have been passed from generation to generation were destroyed, but quite a few recovered and have been showcased in the annual historic homes tour.
A close-knit community that relishes its history and is proud of a 300-year heritage, Pass Christian was discovered by French Canadian explorers in 1699. The city was named for the deep-water pass in the Mississippi Sound, which in turn was named for Nicholas Christian L’Adnier, who lived on nearby Cat Island in 1746. In the 1800s wealthy New Orleans families began to build their vacation homes here.
Generations have made their living from the fishing industry. The oyster reef that lies just offshore is among the largest on the Mississippi Coast.
Born and raised in Pass Christian, Edward, “Inky” Fournier has lived in the Pass for 64 years and has no plans to ever leave. Not even Katrina could uproot this resident who has a new house after his old one was destroyed.
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