Horn Island (Mississippi) facts for kids
South side of Horn Island
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Historical map of the changing geomorphology of Horn Island
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 Horn Island
Location in Mississippi
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Gulf of Mexico |
| Coordinates | 30°14′N 88°40′W / 30.233°N 88.667°W |
| Archipelago | Mississippi–Alabama barrier islands |
| Administration | |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Jackson County |
Horn Island is a long, thin barrier island located off the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. It sits south of Ocean Springs. This island is one of the Mississippi–Alabama barrier islands and is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Horn Island stretches for several miles but is less than a mile wide at its widest point. It covers about 11 square kilometers (4.2 square miles).
Exploring Horn Island
Horn Island helps protect the Mississippi Sound to its north. It also has a long, sandy beach on its south side, facing the Gulf of Mexico. The island is mostly wild and undeveloped. There is only a small ranger station located in the middle of the island. Because of its natural beauty, it's a popular spot for boating for people living along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The island features long stretches of bright, sugar-white sand. You'll find dunes covered with sea oats, which are tall grasses that help hold the sand in place. There are also small groves of tall pines and saw palmettos. A few lagoons can be found inland on the island.
Wildlife on Horn Island
Horn Island is home to many different kinds of wildlife. You might spot alligators, ospreys, and pelicans. Other birds like anhingas, ibises, ducks, terns, and herons also live here. Many other migratory birds visit the island throughout the year. On land, you might see rabbits and raccoons. In the surrounding waters of the Sound and the Gulf, countless species of sea life thrive. This includes gentle manatees.
Island History
In 1718, a person named Antoine-Simon Le Page du Pratz came to Louisiana. In his book, The History of Louisiana, he wrote about how Horn Island might have gotten its name. He also described how it was used in the past.
He mentioned that the island was very flat and had many trees. It was narrow and pointy on its west side. He wondered if the name came from its shape, like a horn, or because many horned animals lived there. Early Canadian settlers on nearby Isle Dauphine used Horn Island to raise their cattle. The cattle multiplied easily without much care. This helped the owners become wealthy when new settlers arrived.
From 1943 to 1945, during World War II, Horn Island was closed to everyone. The U.S. Army used it for special testing.
From 1946 to 1965, an artist named Walter Inglis Anderson from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, often visited Horn Island. He loved to draw and paint the island's landscapes and the animals he saw there. Many of his beautiful artworks are now on display at the Walter Anderson Museum in Ocean Springs.
In 1989, Horn Island was used as a special place to help increase the number of endangered red wolfes. This was part of a program to help these wolves recover. However, this group of wolves was moved in 1998. This happened because there was a chance they might come into contact with people too often.
Islands Nearby
Horn Island is part of a chain of Mississippi–Alabama barrier islands. These islands form a natural barrier along the coast. Other islands in this chain include Petit Bois Island and Dauphin Island to the east. To the west, you'll find Ship Island and Cat Island. Among all these islands, Horn Island is the largest.
