Gulfport, MS
Music connected to Gulfport
About Gulfport
- • Jimmy Buffett, singer of "Margaritaville," was born in Pascagoula, near Gulfport.
- • The annual "Smokin' the Sound" offshore powerboat race originated in Gulfport.
- • Gulfport became a major port city due to the arrival of the railroad in 1902.
- • A time capsule buried in 1902 at the Gulfport Public Library remains unopened.
- • Hurricane Katrina in 2005 caused catastrophic damage and reshaped Gulfport's coastline.
- • It was named for the Gulf of Mexico in 1887 and incorporated in 1898.
- • With over 72,000 residents, it's Mississippi's second-largest city after Jackson.
- • Its average elevation is 20 feet, making it vulnerable to storm surges.
- • The tourism and hospitality industries are vital to Gulfport's economy.
- • Gulfport evokes a feeling of resilient Southern charm and coastal relaxation.
- • The New Orleans Saints, a short drive away, won Super Bowl XLIV in 2010.
- • Brett Favre, a Southern Miss Golden Eagles alum, had a legendary NFL career.