March 26, 2022

BILOXI VISITORS CENTER & BILOXI LIGHTHOUSE

1050 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39530

“Biloxi Visitors Center is a 23,000 square foot facility, which provides visitors with information on hotels, restaurants, attractions, and events.” – gulfcoast.org

“The Biloxi Lighthouse was erected in 1848 and was one of the first cast-iron lighthouses in the South.” – tripadvisor.com

The Biloxi Visitors Center is housed in a beautiful building built on the spot of a mansion destroyed in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina. The Visitors Center is just that, a place to get information about things to do in the area.  There is a small museum giving some of the history of the area along with touting some of the diverse families from Biloxi.  I believe there are some other exhibits, but the Center was prepping to host a dinner of some sorts, so I decided not to get into the way.

The Biloxi Lighthouse stands in front of the Visitors Center.  It is 64-feet tall and was civilian operated from 1848 to 1939 and is notable for its several female lightkeepers.  In 1939, the U.S. Coast Guard assumed responsibility for the light’s operation.  After being declared surplus property in 1968, the Biloxi Lighthouse was deeded to the City of Biloxi. Visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse, but only from 9-10 a.m. each day.  The Lighthouse is listed in Guinness’ Book of World Records as the only lighthouse standing in the middle of a four-lane road.