Recreational Opportunities

SCRANTON FLOATING MUSEUM -
EXPLORE THE SECRETS OF THE SEA

The Scranton "floating" Museum is one of the best educational bargains in the entire State of Mississippi. Approximately 10,000 visitors annually from the local area and all over the world visit the museum. A visit allows one a glimpse into both the cultural and natural heritage of coastal Mississippi.

The upper decks of this one-time working 70-foot shrimp boat have been maintained similar to what they might have been like 25 years ago. The Museum is moored at Pascagoula River Park, in the heart of Mississippi shrimping territory. The sensation of "touring a floating museum" adds real-life drama to the experience aboard the Scranton. Exhibits and a guided tour explain how shrimpers live at sea and how they make their catches.

Below deck Mississippi’s natural heritage is highlighted. Aquarium, exhibits and "hands-on" displays acquaint visitors to the diversity of coastal life forms. This unique setting sets the Museum apart as one of the few floating environmental educational facilities in the entire nation. Visitors of all ages learn about our resources, their interrelations, and their relations to man.

For more information contact (228) 938-6612.

ROUND ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE

In the year 1699, French explorer Pierre Lamoine d'Iberville discovered Isle Ronde or Round Island. After 130 years of growth and expansion Round Island became something for sailors on mail routes from New Orleans to Mobile to look out for. A marker was needed for its extensive underwater shoal and shallow waters.

In 1833 a contract was awarded to build a substantial Lighthouse structure of tried and true materials. Indeed it was sturdy with its 12-inch brick walls, hand laid in lime mortar and whitewashed two times over, but the soft sandy soil was no sure footing for the massive structure. The current tower was built in 1859. Over the years hurricanes and storms have eroded the ground beneath the Lighthouse and time has taken its toll.

In 1985 the Bureau of Land Management deeded the Lighthouse and property to the City Of Pascagoula.

On September 27th 1998 Hurricane Georges toppled the structure breaking the mammoth tower in half. During the past year efforts to finally secure the base, rebuild the house using its original bricks and bring back to life its 4th order lens have been very successful. Today, each brick has been collected and documented for reuse. A 30-foot deep steel caisson now surrounds the base preventing further erosion.

For more information go to:

PASCAGOULA RAILROAD DEPOT -
Home of SINGING RIVER ART ASSOCIATION

The Pascagoula Railroad Depot was built in 1904 and was called Scranton Depot until the 1920's when the town became known as Pascagoula. It serviced the town with rail transportation for many decades. In the 1980's the City of Pascagoula purchased the depot from the CSX Railroad. Today, withstanding all the hurricanes and tropical storms of the last century, the depot stands intact as originally built. The Pascagoula Railroad Depot is now know as the Old Depot Art Center and Gallery and is the home of the Singing River Art Association where local artists can show and sell their work. Each month a new talented artist is spot lighted by the Association. There is always a course or class being held teaching different styles, media and/or techniques.

For more information call (228) 938-6752.