D'Iberville in Harrison County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
The Land and Legend of the Cross
Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 23, 2018
1. The Land and Legend of the Cross Marker
Inscription.
The Land and Legend of the Cross. . In February 1699, Pierre Le Moyne (d'Iberville) sent soldiers to explore the Bay of Biloxi. They found no evidence of Indian residence on either side, including what is now D'Iberville. Later, in the 18th century, French-Indian Elizabeth Boudreaux occupied land that had "an old Canadian fort” (trading post) east of the Dominic Ladnier Section, 22." In 1833 Emanuel Sanchez bought the east strip of Ladnier's land and built a home and chapel for his wife Philippe "Feliz". Their mulatto servant with two boys also lived in the house. Sanchez built the "Back Bay Chapel" near the home. In 1871 its wooden cross was replaced by one of iron. After Emanuel's death, Feliz and Charles (the surviving servant's son) took in travelers awaiting ferry passage to Biloxi. When Charles became heir, he subdivided the strip. On one lot the two-room Back Bay School was erected in 1875; on another, Sacred Heart Church was constructed in 1884; on a third, St. Theresa Parochial School in 1927. The old chapel on the Bay became a convent and the remains of the old home the rectory. In 1910. the chapel cross was discovered in the old Sanchez garden area. Some believe Le Moyne's expedition left it there as a marker. Three times crosses have been posted at the old chapel site, commemorating the French visit of 1699 and the chapel.
In February 1699, Pierre Le Moyne (d'Iberville) sent soldiers to
explore the Bay of Biloxi. They found no evidence of Indian residence
on either side, including what is now D'Iberville. Later, in the 18th
century, French-Indian Elizabeth Boudreaux occupied land that had
"an old Canadian fort” (trading post) east of the Dominic Ladnier
Section, 22." In 1833 Emanuel Sanchez bought the east strip of
Ladnier's land and built a home and chapel for his wife Philippe
"Feliz". Their mulatto servant with two boys also lived in the house.
Sanchez built the "Back Bay Chapel" near the home. In 1871 its
wooden cross was replaced by one of iron. After Emanuel's death,
Feliz and Charles (the surviving servant's son) took in travelers
awaiting ferry passage to Biloxi. When Charles became heir, he
subdivided the strip. On one lot the two-room Back Bay School was
erected in 1875; on another, Sacred Heart Church was constructed
in 1884; on a third, St. Theresa Parochial School in 1927. The old
chapel on the Bay became a convent and the remains of the old
home the rectory. In 1910. the chapel cross was discovered in the
old Sanchez garden area. Some believe Le Moyne's expedition left
it there as a marker. Three times crosses have been posted at
the old chapel site, commemorating the French visit of 1699 and
the
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chapel.
Erected 2017 by the D'Iberville Historical Society, City of D'Iberville and Dale Greenwell.
Location. 30° 25.391′ N, 88° 53.469′ W. Marker is in D'Iberville, Mississippi, in Harrison County. Marker is on Central Avenue, 0.1 miles south of Bay Shore Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9414 Central Avenue, Diberville MS 39540, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. The Land and Legend of the Cross Marker on the right of two.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 23, 2018
3. The Land and Legend of the Cross Marker looking north up Central Avenue.
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 390 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 25, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
