Editing Ocean Springs, Mississippi (section)

==History==
[[Image:Shrimpboats.JPG|thumb|right|Ocean Springs shrimp boats in 2008]]
The settlement of [[Fort Maurepas]] or Old Biloxi, in colonial French Louisiana (New France), began in April 1699 at present-day Ocean Springs, under the authority of [[Louis XIV of France|King Louis XIV]], as [[Fort Maurepas]] by [[Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville]]. It was the first permanent French outpost in [[Louisiana (New France)|French Louisiana]] and was established as a foothold to prevent Spanish encroachment on France's colonial claims. The site was maintained well into the early 18th century.

The town was briefly called Lynchburg Springs when the first post office was established in 1853.<ref>"Early Industry & Tourism" [https://www.oceansprings-ms.gov/176/Early-Industry-Tourism City of Ocean Springs Website] Retrieved July 1, 2023</ref> The name Ocean Springs was coined by Dr. William Glover Austin in 1854. He believed the local springs had healing qualities. Ocean Springs became a prosperous resort town and after several years reinvented itself as a historically-oriented residential community. The history of the town is celebrated annually in re enactments depicting d'Iberville's landing near a replica of Fort Maurepas. The authorities had authorized John Egan to construct and operate a public wharf near this ancient fort site at the foot of Jackson Avenue prior to the Civil War.<ref>Cassibry, Nap. L., Jr. "Echos from the Past". ''Mississippi Coast Historical and Genealogical Society''. 22 (June 1986) 2. p. 89.</ref><ref>Bellande, Ray L. "The Civil War Comes to Ocean Springs."[https://www.oceanspringsarchives.net/civil-war-and-spanish-american-war-ocean-springs Ocean Springs Archives website] Retrieved 28 March 2019.</ref> 
 
From colonial times to present day, seafood has been celebrated. The abundance of seafood allowed French and French-Canadian explorers and settlers to thrive within the Fort Maurepas/Old Biloxi area. In the late nineteenth century, the development of ice plant industries along the coast increased seafood sales. Locals and tourists can still purchase freshly harvested shrimp, fish, crabs, and oysters to this day because of this thriving industry.

The city is home to the [[Peter Anderson (artist)|Peter Anderson]] Festival, taking place the first weekend of November each year. The festival was first hosted in 1978 after local artist Klara Koock brought the idea to the Chamber of Commerce. The festival not only celebrates Anderson, but also the arts community.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://peterandersonfestival.com/festival-info/|title=A HISTORY OF PETER ANDERSON ARTS & CRAFTS|access-date=December 2, 2024|website=peterandersonfestival.com}}</ref>

Ocean Springs was in the international spotlight following Hurricane Katrina's landfall on August 29, 2005. The city, part of the Mississippi Gulf Coast directly hit by the storm, sustained significant damage. The Biloxi-Ocean Springs bridge, part of Highway 90 along the beach, was destroyed and was a widely broadcast visual testament to the hurricane's impact.

===Biloxi Bay Bridge===
[[File:FEMA - 37537 - Biloxi Bay Bridge in Mississippi.jpg|thumb|right|Biloxi Bay Bridge, post-Hurricane Katrina, opened in 2007]]
The first bridge to connect [[Biloxi]] to [[Ocean Springs]] was the War Memorial Bridge which opened on June 3, 1930.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1930 War Memorial Bridge {{!}} Ocean Springs Archives |url=https://www.oceanspringsarchives.net/1930-war-memorial-bridge |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=www.oceanspringsarchives.net}}</ref> The War Memorial bridge was replaced by the 1962 Biloxi Bay Bridge,<ref>{{Cite web |title=1962 Biloxi Bay Bridge {{!}} Ocean Springs Archives |url=https://www.oceanspringsarchives.net/1962-biloxi-bay-bridge |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=www.oceanspringsarchives.net}}</ref> which sustained some damage in 1969 by [[Hurricane Camille]]. On August 29, 2005 [[Hurricane Katrina]]'s {{convert|28|ft|m|adj=on}} storm surge destroyed the 1962 Biloxi Bay Bridge.  As of 2007, the majority of the bridge's remains have been removed via cranes based on [[barges]] located next to the bridge debris. The bridge ruins, capturing the breathtaking results of the force of [[Hurricane Katrina]], had become a popular spot of photographers both professional and amateur. The construction for the new bridge was completed in April 2008. The new Biloxi Bay Bridge is 95' in height at its main span, and supports six lanes of traffic. Two lanes of the six-lane bridge opened November 1, 2007. The new bridge has a curving roadway due to the implemented [[design-build]] process. In order to speed the process of rebuilding, the main body of the bridge was moved outside of the previous bridge's debris area. The landing points for each side of [[U.S. Route 90]] correspond with the previous bridge.