Magnolia Hotel (Biloxi, Mississippi) facts for kids
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Magnolia Hotel
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Magnolia Hotel 2012
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 Location in Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Location | 119 Rue Magnolia, Biloxi, Mississippi |
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| Built | 1847 |
| Restored | 1973 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001013 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 14, 1973 |
The Magnolia Hotel is a very old building in Biloxi, Mississippi. It was built way back in 1847 to be a place where people could stay. Many people believe it's the oldest hotel still standing along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Because it's so important to history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Later, in 1985, it was also named a Mississippi Landmark.
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A Look Back: The Magnolia Hotel's Story
The Magnolia Hotel was built for a man named John Hahn. He owned a coffeehouse (a place to drink coffee and meet friends) in New Orleans. When it was first built, the hotel was a wooden building with two and a half stories. Its outside walls were covered in plaster.
The hotel was originally located very close to the beach. It faced south, looking out toward the Mississippi Sound. Inside, it had a long hallway that went from the front to the back on both floors. The first floor had two rooms on each side of the hall. The second floor had six rooms on each side.
Life at the Hotel Through the Years
John Hahn passed away in 1848. But his wife kept the hotel running. Many guests came from New Orleans because Biloxi was a popular vacation spot on the Gulf Coast.
After the American Civil War, the hotel became a favorite place for people from northern states. They came to Biloxi during the winter because of its mild weather. John Hahn's family continued to run the hotel until World War II, when it finally closed its doors.
Surviving Storms and Moving On
In 1969, a very strong storm called Hurricane Camille hit the area. It caused a lot of damage to the hotel building. Because the hotel was so important to history, the city of Biloxi bought it in 1972.
The city then moved the hotel to a higher spot. It was moved about 100 yards (about 91 meters) north of where it used to be. The building was also turned to face east and was carefully fixed up. Years later, in 2005, another big storm, Hurricane Katrina, caused more damage. The hotel needed even more repairs after that.
Biloxi Mardi Gras Museum
As of 2013, the historic Magnolia Hotel building had a new purpose. It became the Biloxi Mardi Gras Museum. Inside, you can see many interesting items from past Mardi Gras celebrations. The museum also shares the long and interesting history of the Magnolia Hotel itself.
