There are a lot of great attractions in Mississippi. And as an added bonus, some of the state’s best sites also happen to be loaded with history. This definitely holds true for Cat Island. One of the state’s barrier islands, the tropical spot has long been a favorite of both locals and tourists. However, the island’s history goes back much further than its days as a popular fishing and camping spot. Take a look:
Referred to as the “gem of the Gulf Islands National Seashore,” Cat Island is located just off Mississippi’s coast, between Pass Christian and Gulfport.
Wikid77/Wikimedia
Cat Island, which was discovered by the French in 1699, got its name when explorers mistook the island’s raccoons for cats.
mdah.ms.gov
In 1781, Juan de Cuevas received the island via a Spanish land grant, and it remained in his family for generations.
mdah.ms.gov
Supposedly, Juan de Cuevas fired the first shots against the British in the War of 1812 from Cat Island. As legend goes, de Cuevas woke up in December 1814 to find hundreds of enemy war ships in his front yard. For his actions, de Cuevas later became known as the “hero of Cat Island.”
Hall, H. B., Artist/Wikimedia
The War of 1812 is just part of Cat Island’s interesting past. Though no longer in existence, the island actually had one of the very first lighthouses on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast.
Mississippi Department of Archives and History/Flickr
Because of its seclusion, it was a popular spot among pirates and criminals. Notorious thieves, such as Jean Lafitte and the James Copeland Gang, allegedly buried their stolen loot on the island.
Anonymous/Wikimedia
And during prohibition, the island was regularly used by Al Capone’s bootleggers to hide their illegal alcohol.
Bureau (Federal Bureau of Investigation)/Wikimedia
At one time, Cat Island served as an encampment site for Seminole Indians. As part of the Trail of Tears, the tribe was kept on the island until being moved to a reservation in Oklahoma.
loc.gov
The most peculiar time in Cat Island’s history was probably during WWII, when it was used as a secret military site. During this time, the U.S. government attempted to train dogs to sniff out the Japanese enemy because it was believed that the Japanese had a distinct odor.
Ellis Anderson, the Shoofly Magazine
Learn more about this strange part of Cat Island’s history in the video below.
Wikid77/Wikimedia
mdah.ms.gov
Hall, H. B., Artist/Wikimedia
Mississippi Department of Archives and History/Flickr
Anonymous/Wikimedia
Bureau (Federal Bureau of Investigation)/Wikimedia
loc.gov
Ellis Anderson, the Shoofly Magazine
So, did you know about Cat Island’s interesting past? Ever visited the island? Tell us in the comments section.
If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out “Most People Have No Idea There’s A Drowned Island Hiding In The Mississippi Gulf.“
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