Port History

Established in 1956, the Jackson County Port Authority oversees a port with roots that stretch back to the early 1800s. Port Pascagoula’s history is deeply tied to the growth of commerce and transportation along the Pascagoula River system, making it a vital hub for trade in the region.
Port operations began in the 1830s when the east branch of the Pascagoula River was dredged, facilitating the transport of cotton, the predominant pre-Civil War commodity, with over a million bales flowing downriver. This activity spurred the development of shipyards and sawmills along the riverbanks. Further dredging to deepen and widen the channel took place in the late 1870s, supported by $50,000 in local and state funding, marking a key milestone in the port’s development.
Dredging Accelerates Growth
The deepening of the channel aligned with the expansion of the railroad connecting New Orleans to the west and Mobile to the east, transforming the region into a bustling hub of commerce. South Mississippi’s pristine longleaf yellow pine was transported via barges to downstream sawmills, where it was processed and shipped overseas to destinations including Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe.
The arrival of steamships further boosted the capacity of sawmill operators to meet the soaring demand for timber. By the early 20th century, Pascagoula had become the second-largest lumber port on the Gulf of Mexico. Historical records highlight shipments of Mississippi timber to Panama, where it played a vital role in constructing the Panama Canal. At that time, the port featured the Pascagoula River harbor and a natural 13-mile ship channel with an 11-foot depth.


Partnerships Key To Success
The lumber boom highlighted the port’s critical importance to private industry, a legacy that continued to evolve over the decades. By the 1940s, shipbuilding had become the region’s dominant industry, with Ingalls Shipbuilding emerging as Mississippi’s largest employer.
In the late 1950s, the Bayou Casotte harbor was dredged and opened, adding to the port’s capabilities. Today, public facilities include a 175,000-square-foot terminal warehouse and four deepwater berths, supporting a range of industries and activities.
The Pascagoula River Harbor hosts prominent entities such as Ingalls Shipbuilding, World Marine, NOAA, and Port Pascagoula’s public facilities, while the U.S. Coast Guard operates from Singing River Island. Both harbors exemplify the power of collaboration between public and private sectors, a cornerstone of Port Pascagoula’s enduring success.
Lumber remains Mississippi’s second-largest commodity, and Port Pascagoula is proud to play a vital role in supporting this thriving industry, carrying on a legacy of connecting local resources to global markets.