Pascagoula Parish, Louisiana facts for kids

Pascagoula Parish was a special kind of area, like a county, that existed for a very short time in the early 1800s. It was part of the Territory of Orleans, which was a U.S. territory before Louisiana became a state. This parish was formed in 1811 from land that used to belong to the Spanish colony of West Florida.

Pascagoula Parish was only around for about one year. It was never actually inside the borders of Louisiana as we know them today. Instead, it was located in the area that is now the coastal part of the state of Mississippi.

What Was Pascagoula Parish?

Pascagoula Parish was a temporary U.S. territorial area. It was set up in 1811. Think of it like a county that was created for a specific purpose. This area was located along the Gulf of Mexico coast. It stretched between two rivers: the Pearl River and the Perdido River.

How It Came to Be

The land that became Pascagoula Parish was once part of West Florida. This was a colony controlled by Spain. The United States gained control of this land. After that, the U.S. government organized it. They decided to create Pascagoula Parish in 1811. This was part of the larger Territory of Orleans.

Why It Disappeared

Pascagoula Parish didn't last long. It was removed in 1812. This was the same year that Louisiana officially became a U.S. state. When Louisiana became a state, the coastal lands that made up Pascagoula Parish were transferred. They were given to the Mississippi Territory instead. This is why the parish was never part of modern-day Louisiana. It became part of what is now the state of Mississippi.