Biloxi in Harrison County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Moran Site

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 22, 2017

1. Moran Site Marker

At new location, along Porter Avenue, at Biloxi Visitors Center.

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Located here was a French Colonial cemetery, now known as the Moran Site. Based on archaeological investigations, the cemetery dates to the founding of "New Biloxy" between 1717 and 1722, and includes at least thirty burials, primarily male Europeans. Artifacts recovered from the site include ceramics, a French Colonial wine glass and a metal crucifix. The Moran Site is the oldest known French Colonial cemetery in the South and the second oldest in the United States.

Erected 2013 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Colonial Era. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1717.

Location. 30° 23.722′ N, 88° 54.103′ W. Marker is in Biloxi, Mississippi, in Harrison County. Marker is at the intersection of Porter Avenue and Beach Boulevard (Highway 90), on the right when traveling north on Porter Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1050 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi MS 39530, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Moran Site History (here, next to this marker); French Colonial Memorial Garden (a few steps from this marker); Archaeological Findings (a few steps from this marker); The Memorial Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Pierre LeMoyne Sieur d'Iberville (within shouting distance of this marker); Essence of Biloxi (within shouting distance of this marker); High Water Mark (within shouting distance of this marker); The Evolution of Biloxi Tourism (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Biloxi.

More about this marker. Marker was moved from the Biloxi Lighthouse, nearby, to a memorial garden added to the grounds of the Biloxi Visitors Center.

Moran Site Marker in new location, inside garden at Biloxi Visitors Center. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 22, 2017

2. Moran Site Marker in new location, inside garden at Biloxi Visitors Center.

Former location, at Biloxi Lighthouse, in background.

Former location of marker near lighthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 5, 2013

3. Former location of marker near lighthouse

Former location of Moran Site marker on Highway 90 median. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 5, 2013

4. Former location of Moran Site marker on Highway 90 median.

A nearby sign, in the memorial garden, providing more information about the Moran Site. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 22, 2017

5. A nearby sign, in the memorial garden, providing more information about the Moran Site.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2017. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 955 times since then and 159 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 22, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3, 4. submitted on September 6, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 5. submitted on March 22, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.