City of Pass Christian
Pass Christian City Hall and municipal complex was
built on the site of the former Pass Christian Lighthouse and the former
four-story School Building which stood their. The first City Hall at that location was a monument to the victims of Hurricane Camille --- The new Municipal Complex is a monument to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
City Halls
Following Hurricane Camille, former Mayor J.J. Whitmann addressed the Board of Alderman in January 1970 with a proposal for a new City Hall. He stated that $69,000.00 of the cost would be derived from the U.S. Office of Emergency Planning and $30,000.00 was to be from insurance payment from the old City Hall which had been built in 1920 and demolished by Camille. Preliminary designs were made by the U.S. Corps of Engineers. Alderman Jim Cerra's comments were that it looked like a first class Chicken Coop. Local Architect John Mykolyk made revisions which were later accepted by the Board.
The new City Hall was to replace the former Hall which was condemned due to heavy damages sustained by Hurricane Camille. The Facility would provide 4000 square foot of space with a Mayor's Office, separate quarters for Clerk and Tax Collector and the Utility Department as well as a Board Room Auditorium to seat approximately 90 people. The site was determined to replace the "old Pass School" [which was closed in 1937] at Hiern Avenue and Scenic Drive at its present location. The Ground Breaking ceremonies were performed in August of 1970 with the acceptance of a Building Fund projected at $128,000.00.
The Corner Stone from the Old City Hall which indicated its construction in 1926 was placed at the site of the New City Hall flag poll. By February of 1971 the new building was completed and the offices were occupied by the City Departments and the Mayor. However, the building was not accepted as finished, as duly noted by Alderman Arthur Hyatt, "The roof leaks!" Alderman Clay Rick remarked that the Plaque spelling was incorrect. And Alderman Jim Cerra complained that he wouldn't vote on any matter until the lights were corrected.
On May 2, 1971 the new City Hall was dedicated to the memory of the victims of Hurricane Camille. Representative Jim Simpson, Sr. introduced Lt. Governor Charles Sullivan after the Flag Raising ceremony performed by Boy Scouts James Stanboro, Roger Fitzgerald, Raymond Fitzgerald, Malcolm Jones and Jimmy Rafferty. Approximately 700 Pass residents attended with other guests including former Lt. Governor Bidwell Adam whose father E.J. Adam, Sr. was a former Mayor of the Pass.
The old two-story City Hall, located at the foot of Market and Scenic Drive, was actually centered on Market Avenue and blocked the view to the Gulf. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was called in to demolish it in October of 1970 due to severe damages incurred by Camille in '69.Monuments at City Hall
West side near front states on Metal Plaque about 28' square on raised beveled marble stone approximately 2' high front and 30" high rear — reads:"Pass Christian
Named for the Channel of
Deep Water Discovered in
The Early 1700's and named for Christian L'Adnier. This Monument placed by the Bicentennial Committee of
Pass Christian, Mississippi --- July 4, 1976"
West side to rear of above monument,
Approximately 24' by 32" about 6" off ground on raised marble — reads:
TIME CAPSULE
Containing Historic Memorabilia
Describing Life
in Pass Christian,
in the Year of 1976
placed here by the Pass Christian
Bicentennial Committee
Not to be opened until July 4, 2076
Far West side near City Hall building is a marble cornerstone from prior City Hall building on Market Street destroyed by Camille — partially reads:
1926-1927
City Hall
Pass Christian
Mississippi
L.H. Spence Mayor
(More officials listed)
Pass Christian, Mississippi — Statistics
Pass Christian is located in Harrison County, Mississippi.
As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 6,579.
Pass Christian was the hardest hit city during Hurricane Camille in 1969, resulting in diminishing its population and its growth for several decades.
This occurrence took place again in 2005 with the arrival of Hurricane Katrina.
Geography
Pass Christian is located at 30°19'28" North, 89°14'50" West. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.3 square miles. Of which, 8.4 sq. miles is land and 6.9 sq. miles of it is water — resulting in 44.97% of the total area being covered water.
Demographics
As of the Census of 2012, there were 4,966 citizens.
(added 1979 - District - #79001309)
Harrison County - Scenic Dr., Pass Christian
consisting of 2200 acres, containing 109 buildings.