Five barrier islands lie just miles from Mississippi’s coastline. Because of their close proximity to the mainland, they’re extremely popular destinations. However, many are completely unaware there’s another island with a haunting past hidden nearby. Lurking beneath the waters of the Gulf, the island was originally known as Dog Island. Even though it vanished long ago, chilling remnants of its past are said to live on to this day. Take a look:
Dog Island is located about 12 miles offshore, between East Ship and Horn islands. It was visible in 1847; however, it disappeared about 10 years later.
Wikid77/Wikimedia
Nearly a half century later, the island reappeared. In 1926, several local businessmen took advantage of the newly surfaced island and opened the Isle of Caprice resort.
Mississippi Department of Archives and History
Offering “dancing, surf bathing, boating, fishing, and gambling,” it attracted visitors from near and far. The island soon became known as the “Monte Carlo of the South.”
Courtesy of Biloxi Public Library
Several ferries, including the Non Pareil (pictured) and Pan American, provided transportation to the island. A round trip ticket, which included food and Barq’s root beer, was 50 cents per passenger.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Dixie Press Collection
The resort’s success was short lived, however. Its demise began in 1929, with the Great Depression. Not long after, the island was ravaged by a hurricane.
Mississippi Department of Archives and History
According to legend, the hurricane was headed straight to the island. Despite the impending storm, many people chose to stay at the Isle of Caprice instead of heading back to the mainland.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Dixie Press Collection
Two days later, rescuers from Biloxi went out to the island to check on survivors; however, there weren’t any. Instead, they only found bodies and debris floating in the water where the island had been.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College C.C. “Tex” Hamill Down South Magazine Collection
According to legend, if you go out into the Gulf where the sunken island is hidden beneath the water’s surface, you can hear “rowdy laughter, abruptly replaced with terrified screams, then total silence.”
ashlee dale/Flickr
So, did you know about the Isle of Caprice? Ever heard about its haunting past? Tell us in the comments section.
Wikid77/Wikimedia
Mississippi Department of Archives and History
Courtesy of Biloxi Public Library
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Dixie Press Collection
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College C.C. “Tex” Hamill Down South Magazine Collection
ashlee dale/Flickr
Learn about another spooky Mississippi island in “The Stories Behind This Haunted Mississippi Island Will Give You Goosebumps.“
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