Original D'Iberville Community House

Original D'Iberville Community House. . A century before the City of D'Iberville incorporated (1988), the north side of the Bay of Biloxi shared worldwide cultural traits. Social events brought all together. The scattered settlements began coalescing when the first street (Central Avenue today) was paved in 1926. Social gatherings were usually held in and around schools and churches. Amid the Great Depression (1930s) social activities were reduced for lack of discretionary funds. A purpose of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration was to help communities survive socially and culturally. , In 1937, the WPA appointed Selma Smith of D'Iberville to represent the agency and her community. Meetings were organized at Joe Poulos' Store (formerly Peter Quave's) and hundreds of residents attended; Selma presided. The name selected: D'Iberville Community Club. Trustees: Frank Ibele, Bud Patronus, and Arnot Smith. The cost of land at this site was $475. In 1939, the Community House was completed; the calendar of events included: Carnival balls, bingos, wedding celebrations, and dances. Uniquely built with a Pioneer finish, north of the original high school, the (front) columns were cypress tree trunks.