Gulfport in Harrison County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Grass Lawn
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, July 10, 2025
1. Grass Lawn Marker
A two-story, wood-frame Greek Revival house with peripteral galleries, Grass Lawn was built as a vacation residence for Dr. Hiram Alexander Roberts, a surgeon and planter from Port Gibson. From 1904 to 1950, it was the home of Gulfport mayor Joseph William Milner. Owned by the city in the latter half of the 20th century, the original house was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The current house is an exact replica, constructed in 2009-2010.
Erected 2012 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.
Location. 30° 22.478′ N, 89° 3.849′ W. Marker is in Gulfport, Mississippi, in Harrison County. It is on East Beach Boulevard (U.S. 90) 0.1 miles west of Roberts Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 720 E Beach Blvd, Gulfport MS 39501, United States of America.
this page online
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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Centennial Plaza (approx. Ύ mile away); Gulfport Civil Rights Wade-In (approx. one mile away); Kellier-Sternberg House (approx. 1.1 miles away); Mississippi City Cemetery (approx. 1.3 miles away); Memorialization of Jefferson Davis (approx. 1.3 miles away); Mississippi City Courthouse (approx. 1.3 miles away); Old Gulfport High School (approx. 1.4 miles away); Gulfport - Harrison County Library (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gulfport.
Also see . . . Milner House (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 9, 2024
2. Grass Lawn Marker
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 9, 2024
3. Grass Lawn Marker
Chauncey T. Hinman; via Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (Public Domain), 1978
4. Grass Lawn (Original)
Roberts built the house in 1836 on nearly 300 acres overlooking the Mississippi Sound. In 1972 it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Milner family sold the house in 1973 to the City of Gulfport, which used it for city functions and rented it out for special events.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 9, 2024
5. Grass Lawn (replica)
The City of Gulfport built this replica, which is used for city functions and rented out for weddings, receptions, and other events.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 502 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 29, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on March 15, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 4. submitted on March 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 5. submitted on March 15, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
