The Land of the Waves began as a resort town for wealthy New Orleans residents. They would take the L&N Railroad to Waveland in the mid 1800s to summer on the Gulf Coast.
On Mississippi's West Coast along the Gulf of Mexico, Waveland is a town of survivors
View Waveland City GuideThe Land of the Waves began as a resort town for wealthy New Orleans residents. They would take the L&N Railroad to Waveland in the mid 1800s to summer on the Gulf Coast.
On Mississippi's West Coast along the Gulf of Mexico, Waveland is a town of survivors
The Land of the Waves began as a resort town for wealthy New Orleans residents. They would take the L&N Railroad to Waveland in the mid 1800s to summer on the Gulf Coast.
On Mississippi's West Coast along the Gulf of Mexico, Waveland is a town of survivors. Two hurricanes have ripped through the area over the decades and almost washed Waveland away. Both failed. While the town's population did see a dip in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the town bounced back and, as of the 2010 census, had a lively population of 6,435.
Waveland is a charming coastal community where life moves at a slow pace. Enjoy a leisurely drive down a road that hugs the coastline while you search for apartments in Waveland. If you want to live in an apartment complex, look first along Highway 90 where most of Waveland's commercial buildings are located. The Gates at Coralbay has one bedroom apartments for rent as well as two and three bedroom units. The property has a pool on-site and washers and dryers in each of the 160 units. If you need a pet-friendly place, Gulf Grove just down the road is a good option. Just remember to bring in Fluffy's papers along with your own; we're talking about copies of your ID, letters of reference from your current or past landlord, bank statements or tax papers and a recent credit report to show that you're in good standing.
Waveland is actually just one big neighborhood roughly separated by the main road that runs lengthwise through the town. Railroad Avenue becomes Central Avenue the further northeast you travel. North of the road is more urban and densely populated, while south of it has a more beachy, residential feel. Look for apartment complexes on the north side of this divide, especially around Highway 90. If you'd rather find a house to rent, look around this area. You'll find rental homes in this neighborhood, but remember that the closer to the water, the higher the rent.
In August 1969, Hurricane Camille traveled through Waveland after having made landfall in Louisiana. It took a decade to rebuild after that storm, but Hurricane Katrina in 2005 did the most damage. As the spot where Katrina made landfall, Waveland took the hardest hit of other Gulf Coast towns. Strong winds and heavy flooding dealt the town a heavy blow, and the storm made landfall during high tide, which didn't help!
Not everything in Waveland is doom and gloom, however. As part of the Gulfport-Biloxi metro area, the city, incorporated in 1972, is a popular spot for beach goers. Because city ordinances don't allow commercial buildings along the beach line -- the only Mississippi city with this restriction -- the beachfront has remained unspoiled.
If you enjoy fishing, you can easily cast a line off the Garfield Ladner fishing pier just off Coleman Avenue. The pier extends 860 feet into the Bay of St. Louis. It's a favorite of local fishermen, so expect it to stay busy from dawn to dusk. If fishing isn't your thing, head to the volleyball courts near the pier. Join other residents walking, jogging, or biking the stretch of path that begins at the beach and travels along Beach Boulevard through Waveland all the way to the Bay St. Louis Bridge just east of town. Buccaneer State Park is another popular recreational spot, especially with its Wave Pool.
Andrew Jackson originally owned the 343 acres on the west side of town. The area was called Jackson Ridge. The former president built a home there, which his nephew lived in. The home, however, burned in 1935.
