21st Anniversary Events: Landing and Birthday Stories
City of D’Iberville Landing Reunion
Story By: Leigh Coleman
[for more photos, see our Photo Gallery at left]
The rain stopped and the sun beamed down for a while as French explorers met with Native American tribes to exchange gifts as a welcome to a new land.
The City of D’Iberville celebrated Mississippi history on Saturday by hosting their first Landing of Pierre LeMoyne Sieur d’Iberville at Fountain Pier in D’Iberville.
Crowds gathered at the water’s edge for the 310th anniversary of d’Iberville’s exploration of the area.
“Back 310 years ago when this landing really took place it was much different back then than it is now,” said D’Iberville Mayor Rusty Quave.
“I am excited about how far we have come as a city and a country. This event represents opportunity and peace for all of us.”
Traveling by boat and then coming ashore in full costume were R.J. Deno, a D’Iberville business owner who portrayed d’Iberville, David Harder playing the part of d’Iberville’s brother, Jean Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, and Dr. Andrew Alexander, playing the part of a French explorer. Dr. Alexander also allowed the use of his hand-crafted wooden boat.
Waiting on the shoreline to meet the landing party were actors portraying Native American tribes.
Pierre LeMoyne d'Iberville (played by R. J. Deno) greets a Native American Chief (played by Mayor Rusty Quave) as Jean Baptiste Bienville (played by David Harder) offers gifts.
Miss Mississippi Christine Kozlowski played the part of a princess and prepared the peace pipe for Mayor Rusty Quave who played the part of a Chief.
Chief Albert Naquin of the Biloxi-Chitimacha tribe also attended the historical reenactment.
“We have wanted to have this event for a long time,” said Jeff Taylor, D’Iberville’s city planner.
“Katrina caused a lot people to be interested in our past because some of our viable memories were gone. What is not gone are traditions and we can celebrate them because that is what makes us who we are.”
Taylor said Biloxi, Ocean Springs, and D’Iberville should all come together in the future and host the reenactment of the landing of d’Iberville with a week of special events.
“d’Iberville did not just stay in one place when he came here he went all over the place. He wondered around like any explorer would,” said Taylor.
“We should call it the “Court of Three Sisters” or something because it is a history we all share.”
Historians argue about the exact location of the original landing location. Some say d’Iberville cast anchor between Cat Island and Ship Island; and on February 13, 1699, he went to the mainland, Biloxi, with his brother Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. On May 1, 1699, he traveled to a fort on the northeast side of the Bay of Biloxi.
Special guests appearing at the landing were historians from Longueuil, Quebec, Phyllis and Guy Prefontaine.
Longueuil was the birthplace of Pierre LeMoyne d’Iberville.
“This city has had many firsts during the past several years,” said Richard Rose, D’Iberville’s city manager.
“This landing is an exciting first event for us and although we are growing with expansion in retail and subdivisions we do not ever want to forget our heritage.”
D’Iberville’s 21st Birthday Party
Story By: Leigh Coleman
Valentine’s Day was special this year for D’Iberville as they hosted a series of events to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the city’s founding in February of 1988.
After the reenactment of d’Iberville’s historic landing, residents gathered for a 21st Birthday Party at the Parks and Recreation Center in D’Iberville.
City leaders said it was a way for residents to show their love for D’Iberville.
City Manager Richard Rose, Mayor Rusty Quave, Councilmembers Teddy Harder, Brenda Broussard and Henry Toncrey blow out the candles at the city's 21st birthday party.
“This is a great turnout today and the more we grow the more we want to do for the community,” said Mike Mullins, Parks and Recreation director.
“There is a lot going on in this city, keeping the quality of life good is important.”
Hundreds gathered for food, live music, a heart-shaped birthday cake, and went home with “I love D’Iberville” bumper stickers and t-shirts.
The center was decorated with balloons, life sized posters of d’Iberville, floral arrangements, large displays depicting the history of the city, and red and white streamers.
“I have been here for years and could spend the rest of my life living in D’Iberville,” said Harvey Sougon, age 94 and one of D’Iberville’s oldest residents.
Awards were also presented to the members of the city’s first council who were named as D’Iberville’s founding mothers and fathers.
The city gave awards to Catherine Lawrence in honor of the city’s first mayor Jerry Lawrence, along with members Oliver Diaz, Thomas J. Moore, Jr., Linda Davis, Barney Scarborough, and Leonard Wolfe.
Historian from Longueuil, Quebec, Phyllis and Guy Prefontaine and Chief Albert Naquin of the Biloxi-Chitimacha tribe also received special recognition.
“Celebrating history and your heritage is an important part of life,” said Prefontaine.
Chief Albert Naquin, R. J. Deno (as d'Iberville), Phyllis and Guy Prefontaine, Councilwoman Brenda Broussard, Mayor Rusty Quave and David Harder (as Iberville) pose in front of a image of Pierre LeMoyne d'Iberville
“I could not believe how many people here have an attachment to their history. It is true that if you do not know where you come from you do not know where you are going.”
“When my husband was mayor he knew we were going to be a great city one day,” said Catherine Lawrence, the wife of the city’s first mayor, Jerry Lawrence.
“He predicted it and for all those years he was mayor he devoted himself to making this a real city. He would be so proud of these people now.”
