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.
The Five Trails. . 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 and 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 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 and San Diego, CA. The Five Trails were soon paved.
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 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
Click or scan to see this page online
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.
Location. 30° 25.592′ N, 88° 53.46′ W. Marker is in D'Iberville, Mississippi, in Harrison County. Marker 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.
2. Current Race Track Road was formerly St. Martin Road.
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 445 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 25, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
