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

The Memorial Garden

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 22, 2017

1. The Memorial Garden Marker

Inscription. In February, 2012, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources acquired nearly an acre of land located at 110 Porter Avenue, Biloxi, to preserve a time in history, long forgotten.The remains of 32 French servants were recovered during two excavations; 12 were discovered in 1969 after Hurricane Camille and 20 more by Dr. Marie Danforth, professor of anthropology at the University of Southern Mississippi, and her students after Hurricane Katrina. A celebration and commemoration of our French heritage was held on December 20, 2013, during a re-interment ceremony. Known as the "Moran Site," this parcel of land situated on the Gulf of Mexico viewshed, fulfills Mississippi's commitment of resiliency of the Gulf Coast.

The oldest French Colonial cemetery in the south now holds an important part of Biloxi's history. The most appropriate direction to reflect the admiration and determination of those early settlers was to design a memorial garden representing a sign of hope, empathy, and understanding. The French inspired garden, designed by Allred Architects and Christian Preus Landscape Architecture, bolsters the historical and ecological landscape of the site. The angel adorning the center represents unconditional love in the face of adversity for those seeking peace and a new life.

[Photo captions]
Top: Bishop Roger Morin and Father Michael Austin, Catholic Diocese of Biloxi, performed the rite of committal accompanied by the Knights of Columbus and the 1699 Historical Committee during a special re-interment ceremony.

Right middle: Weeping Angel Statue

Bottom: The French Colonial Memorial Garden Master Plan prepared by Christian Preus Landscape Architecture.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Notable Places. A significant historical month for this entry is February 2012.

Location. 30° 23.72′ N, 88° 54.086′ W. Marker is in Biloxi, Mississippi, in Harrison County. It can be reached from the intersection of Porter Avenue and Beach Boulevard (Highway 90). Located next to the Biloxi Visitors Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1050 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi MS 39530, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: French Colonial Memorial Garden (a few steps from this marker); Archaeological Findings (a few steps from this marker); The Moran Site History (a few steps from this marker); Moran Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Pierre LeMoyne Sieur d'Iberville (within shouting distance of this marker); High Water Mark (within shouting distance of this marker); Essence of Biloxi (within shouting distance of this marker); "Moon Tree" (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map

Marker is to right of Angel statue, in background, near the stairs. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 22, 2017

2. Marker is to right of Angel statue, in background, near the stairs.

of all markers in Biloxi.

Recently added to the memorial garden - Weeping Angel statue. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 22, 2017

3. Recently added to the memorial garden - Weeping Angel statue.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 410 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 25, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.