Just off Mississippi’s coast lie five barrier islands, but that’s not how it used to be. Many years ago, there was another island – the Isle of Caprice, which was located between Ship Island and Horn Island. For several years, tourists traveled from all over the country to visit the Isle of Caprice; it was even dubbed the “Monte Carlo of the South.” However, after a few years and a series of man-made and natural events, the island completely vanished.
Courtesy of Biloxi Public Library Since prohibition had such a negative effect on Biloxi’s tourism, three businessmen, Colonel Jack Apperson, Walter Hunt, and Arbeau Caillavet, opened a hotel, resort and casino on an island just out of the federal government’s jurisdiction, allowing them to serve alcohol. The men changed the island’s name from Dog Keys to Isle of Caprice, and opened the island to tourists on May 30, 1926.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Dixie Press Collection The Isle of Caprice was located approximately 12 miles from Biloxi’s coastline. Excursion boats, such as the Non Pareil (pictured), were used to transport visitors from the Buena Vista boat dock to the island.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Dixie Press Collection After docking on the island, passengers could check into the luxurious hotel, spend the day gambling, or hit the beach.
Courtesy of Biloxi Public Library This photo above, which was taken in 1927, shows Exchange Club Members enjoying the cool waters of the Gulf.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Dixie Press Collection Eventually, Hunt created a marathon that began on the Biloxi mainland and finished on the island. The photo above is believed to be participants in the 1928 marathon.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College C.C. “Tex” Hamill Down South Magazine Collection Unfortunately, the island’s success was extremely short lived due to a number of reasons. One being the Great Depression, which struck in 1929, just three years after the resort opened. Not long after, the island was cut into two during a hurricane. A series of repeated storms further eroded the island, and by 1932, it was completely submerged.
At one time, the only sign of the island’s existence was a pipe (background of photo above) that protruded out of the Gulf. The pipe, connected to an artesian well, once provided the island’s water supply, and was visible for decades after the Isle of Caprice disappeared.
Did you know about this vanishing island?
Courtesy of Biloxi Public Library
Since prohibition had such a negative effect on Biloxi’s tourism, three businessmen, Colonel Jack Apperson, Walter Hunt, and Arbeau Caillavet, opened a hotel, resort and casino on an island just out of the federal government’s jurisdiction, allowing them to serve alcohol. The men changed the island’s name from Dog Keys to Isle of Caprice, and opened the island to tourists on May 30, 1926.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Dixie Press Collection
The Isle of Caprice was located approximately 12 miles from Biloxi’s coastline. Excursion boats, such as the Non Pareil (pictured), were used to transport visitors from the Buena Vista boat dock to the island.
After docking on the island, passengers could check into the luxurious hotel, spend the day gambling, or hit the beach.
This photo above, which was taken in 1927, shows Exchange Club Members enjoying the cool waters of the Gulf.
Eventually, Hunt created a marathon that began on the Biloxi mainland and finished on the island. The photo above is believed to be participants in the 1928 marathon.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College C.C. “Tex” Hamill Down South Magazine Collection
Unfortunately, the island’s success was extremely short lived due to a number of reasons. One being the Great Depression, which struck in 1929, just three years after the resort opened. Not long after, the island was cut into two during a hurricane. A series of repeated storms further eroded the island, and by 1932, it was completely submerged.
At one time, the only sign of the island’s existence was a pipe (background of photo above) that protruded out of the Gulf. The pipe, connected to an artesian well, once provided the island’s water supply, and was visible for decades after the Isle of Caprice disappeared.
Check out more of the state’s lesser known history in “The Notorious Mississippi Family You Won’t Learn About In History Books.”
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