Gautier in Jackson County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

City of Gautier

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 23, 2018

1. City of Gautier Marker

Inscription. This area was not always known as Gautier. The story of the city actually began in 1699. A French expedition, led by Pierre d'Iberville and accompanied by his younger brother, Jean-Baptiste Bienville, made landfall in Mobile, Alabama and explored the Mississippi gulf coast. They attempted to establish the first permanent French coastal colonial settlement in Gautier at the approximate location of what is now known as Le Maison Gautier, "The Old Place." But after a day's toil it was recognized that the Pascagoula River was too shallow for their large draft ships, and the group retired to establish their colony at Ocean Springs.

The first permanent settler in the area was Jean Baptiste Baudreau dit Graveline who came with d'Iberville's second voyage in 1700. Graveline returned to establish a large cattle plantation in 1717.

The entire rural area west of the Pascagoula River basin was known as West Pascagoula. Through the 18th and 19th centuries the population gradually expanded while the economy remained primarily agricultural. National ownership went from France to Great Britain to Spain to the Republic of West Florida

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

and finally to the United States in 1795.

In 1865 Fernando Upton Gautier, a sawmill operator, moved from Tchoutacabouffa to West Pascagoula. He built his home, subsequently called "The Old Place" on the western overlook of the river. He erected a lumber mill at the site where the railroad bridge now crosses the Pascagoula River, naming it F. Gautier & Sons. In the post-Civil War reconstruction period and with the coming of the railroad in 1876 the mill became the largest industry in area, complete with its own railroad stop. By common usage most people began calling the community Gautier because of the prominent sign on the side of the railroad building. By 1905 that name was in use on maps and by the US Postal Service. Gautier became an incorporated city July 1, 1986.

Erected by Jackson County Board of Supervisors, Gautier Historic Preservation Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1986.

Location. 30° 23.674′ N, 88° 39.858′ W. Marker is in Gautier, Mississippi,

City of Gautier Marker at City Hall. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 23, 2018

2. City of Gautier Marker at City Hall.

in Jackson County. It can be reached from the intersection of U.S. 90 and Beasley Road, on the right when traveling west. Located in front of Gautier City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3330 US-90, Gautier MS 39553, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Gautier War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Saint Pierre's Episcopal Church (approx. one mile away); Eric Clark Coastal Preserve (approx. 1.3 miles away); Graveline Bayou Indian Mound (approx. 2.2 miles away); New Era Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 2.7 miles away); The Alfred E. Lewis House

City of Gautier Marker to right of Tribute Tower in the background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 23, 2018

3. City of Gautier Marker to right of Tribute Tower in the background.

(approx. 2.7 miles away); Gautier School (approx. 2.9 miles away); McRae Family Cemetery (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gautier.

Regarding City of Gautier. The town name of Gautier is pronounced "GOH SHAY", from a family named Gautier from Lyon, France.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the city of Gautier. (Submitted on August 27, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,944 times since then and 114 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 27, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.