D'Iberville in Harrison County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

The Five Trails

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 23, 2018

1. The Five Trails Marker

Inscription. By 1812, Spain ceded dominion of our Coast to the U.S., adding to the Mississippi Territory. At the time most of north-shore Back Bay Biloxi was settled by three related (Swiss-French) Ladnier families and (Indian-French) ) Elizabeth Boudreau. Boudreau's U.S. strip which had an 18th century "Canadian wood fort" (trading post), was reissued to Louis Caillavet, a newcomer. After statehood in 1817, next generation and new arrivals erected homes both shores of the Bay. Horse & wagon trails evolved; following the high ground they converged at this site known as West End crossing or "Five Point". The five wagon roads were: 1) Ocean Springs-Ramsey Springs (per U.S. Land Office), 2) Cedar Lake-Wells Ferry, 3) Brickyard, 4) Back Bay Ferry and 5) St. Martin. In 1901 a wooden bridge crossing Back Bay south of Five Point brought more traffic, creating further growth in the village of "Seymour" (in time called Back Bay, North Biloxi and now D'Iberville). Horse racing evolved and St. Martin Road became a track. In 1902 a special race drew a large crowd. 14 year old Randy Quave was killed when thrown from

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his horse into an oak at the track's east turn. It was the last race: St. Martin Road became Race Track Road. In 1926 the wood bridge was replaced by a modern concrete unit. This D'Iberville Bridge completed the last link in the famed "Old Spanish Trail" between Jacksonville, FL & San Diego, CA. The Five Trails were soon paved.

Erected 2017 by the D'Iberville Historical Society, City of D'Iberville and Dale Greenwell.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.

Location. 30° 25.592′ N, 88° 53.46′ W. Marker is in D'Iberville, Mississippi, in Harrison County. It is at the intersection of Race Track Road and Central Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Race Track Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9492 Central Avenue, Diberville MS 39540, 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

Current Race Track Road was formerly St. Martin Road. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 23, 2018

2. Current Race Track Road was formerly St. Martin Road.

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: The Quave Commercial Strip (a few steps from this marker); Fort Maurepas and Old Biloxi (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); D'Iberville High School Original Site (about 700 feet away); Original D'Iberville Community House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Land and Legend of the Cross (approx. ¼ mile away); The Crossing (approx. ¼ mile away); Harvey's Hill (approx. 0.3 miles away); Santa Cruz Landing (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in D'Iberville.

View of Five Trails Marker in distance through trees across the street. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 23, 2018

3. View of Five Trails Marker in distance through trees across the street.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 961 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 25, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.