Pascagoula, MS Summary

The city of Pascagoula lies along Mississippi’s heavily industrialized coastline, close to the Alabama state line. A former Spanish settlement, it is the location of the oldest structure in the Mississippi Valley—the Old Spanish Fort built around 1718. A cypress and pine edifice rather than a citadel, the fort now houses a museum displaying Pascagoula Indian artifacts.

The Pascagoula River, which runs west of the city, is subject of an Indian legend. It is called “the Singing River” for the eerie sounds that come forth from its waters; locals believe the sounds are the chanting souls of the Pascagoula tribe, who linked hands and walked to watery graves rather than be captured by invading Biloxi Indians.

Located within 15 minutes of Biloxi along Hwy 90, Pascagoula is served by Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport through the major carriers, by bus along I-10, and also by train.