Are you ready to embark on an adventure to the barrier islands off the coast of Mississippi? These natural wonders are a true spectacle, shaped by centuries of geological and environmental processes. It is believed that the islands were formed 20,000 years ago as the land sank and the bay filled in: the barrier islands where once the sand dunes protecting the coast. They are still changing with every tide and storm. It is estimated that they move northwest 3 to 4 miles every 100 years. In addition, they have played a significant role in American history, serving as a strategic location for military defense during World War II, and now, as a popular destination for thrill-seekers and beach lovers alike.
Horn Island. Photo Credit https://www.nps.gov/places/000/horn-island.htm
First up is Cat Island, named after its notorious “feline” inhabitants, who were said to have roamed free and wild. It is now believed that French explorers in 1699 wrongly identified the raccoons for cats! This island is seeped in history, in 1781 the Spanish gave Cat as a land grant to Juan de Cuevas, the island remained in his family for generations. One local legend states that De Cuevas fired the first shots of the War of 1812 from the island when he awoke to a fleet of British ships just off the coast.
Later in history it made a perfect hide-out for pirates such as Jean Lafitte, some believe there are still buried treasures to be found on the island. In later years, Al Capone used the island during prohibition to hide alcohol and the island was used as a camp for Seminole Indians.
During WWII the US Army leased Cat Island for a top-secret mission. The mission was to train dogs to detect the smell of Japanese. They used second generation Japanese-American soldiers as targets but as you, probably already predicted, the the mission failed due to the lack of understanding that animals do not smell race but diet.
Photo credit: https://www.nps.gov/guis/learn/historyculture/cat-island-training-center.htm
But it's not all about the past - Cat Island's pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters make it a prime spot for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Unfortunately getting to Cat without a personal boat can be a challenge. However, if you have a boat or book a charter you will not be disappointed by this unspoiled island. Please make sure to check out the National Park Service’s website before embarking on your adventure.
This is one of five in a series: next up is Ship Island!
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