Biloxi in Harrison County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Debuys-Hermann-Keller House

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 5, 2013

1. Debuys-Hermann-Keller House Marker

Inscription. The Greek Revival mansion once located here was a "raised cottage" (meaning it was composed of a frame upper story set upon an above-ground brick basement to protect the wooden portion from moisture and insects.) Probably built ca. 1850 for Peter Debuys, a French planter. It was acquired in 1851 by New Orleans cotton broker L.F. Hermann and in 1871 by John Henry Keller. A New Orleans manufacturer and philanthropist, Keller organized the Seashore Assembly in Biloxi. The house was lost in Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Erected 2012 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 30° 23.615′ N, 88° 52.848′ W. Marker is in Biloxi, Mississippi, in Harrison County. Marker is at the intersection of Beach Boulevard (U.S. 90) and Bellman Street, on the right when traveling west on Beach Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 586 E Beach Blvd, Biloxi MS 39530, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Vance-Gillis House (within shouting distance of this

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

marker); Church of the Redeemer (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Birthplace of Barq's (approx. ¼ mile away); Biloxi (approx. ¼ mile away); William Bartram Trail (approx. 0.3 miles away); Biloxi City Park & Welcome Sign (approx. 0.3 miles away); Chris LeDoux (approx. 0.3 miles away); High Water Mark (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Biloxi.

Also see . . .
1. Historic Houses of Biloxi (pdf file). National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on September 6, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

2. Keller House, East Beach, Biloxi, Harrison County, MS. The Historic American Building Survey Record for the Keller House. (Submitted on September 7, 2013.)

Marker and area of the house. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 5, 2013

2. Marker and area of the house.

Photographed By Craig Doda, December 24, 2018

3. Debuys-Hermann-Keller House Marker

Debuys-Hermann-Keller House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Unknown

4. Debuys-Hermann-Keller House

This undated image (1930s-1960s?), courtesy of the Historic American Buildings Survey, shows the Debuys-Hermann Keller House (also known as the Keller House or the Ralph Wood House), as it appeared in earlier days. Note the above-ground brick basement as described on the marker. This was, unfortunately, one of eleven individually-listed properties in Biloxi on the National Registry of Historic Places that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,188 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 5, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3. submitted on February 16, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 4. submitted on September 7, 2013. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.