By 1830, New Orleans had discovered the Gulf Coast. With the construction of the Pass Christian and Cat Island lighthouses, the Pass Christian Hotel was built followed by small family-owned hotels and boarding houses that sprang up. Dual resident summer homes were built at Pass Christian, Ocean Springs, and Bay St. Louis. Steamboats plied the coast from Mobile to New Orleans, making scheduled stops at the small towns. . . . Tourism was born!

When Pass Christian was incorporated in 1848, it was already famous for its gallant and gracious charm and the courteous service given to its summer guests and residents. That was the era when the "Pass" had nearly a hundred private piers jutting out a thousand feet into the Sound. The Pass Christian Hotel, had its start in 1831, having expanded its structural growth

through the years; and when taken over by the affable hotelier R. H. Montgomery, further embellishments and renovations were made.

Montgomery was its host from 1847 to 1855 and through whose adroit maneuvering the early formation of the Southern Yacht Club was organized within its portals in 1849.

Yachting in the South was born at Pass Christian. The first regatta was promoted at the Pass Christian Hotel, being held on July 21, 1849. Citing a New Orleans' newspaper article from the "Crescent" on that date, "It was a gala day at the Pass. The quiet harbor was thronged with boats, gay with streamers, and manned by athletic crews..."

Responding to the challenge were a dozen contestants. The Stingaree Social Club of New Orleans had acquired a new cabin sloop, resulting in their qualifying for the 25 mile race. Twelve sailboats, representing as many towns, had lined up at the start of the triangular course. Although the Stingarees lost, coming in third, the Eliza Riddle was christened.

The Flirt of Biloxi won the silver pitcher, and the Anna of the "Pass" finished second. All had a wonderful time, and they ended the evening by organizing the Southern Regatta Club with Pass Christian as its headquarters. The enthusiasm resulted in its officers being elected the following summer, with Tom S. Dabney as its first president — thus, Pass Christian became home base for the second official yacht club in the United States which was likened to that of New York City.

Former Mayor Sam Heaslip continued this sport in the Pass. As a past Commodore of the Southern Yacht Club of New Orleans and having become involved in operating the Mexican Gulf Hotel, he helped organize the current Pass Christian Yacht Club in 1893. Joining with four other regional clubs, the Southern Gulf Coast Yachting Association was formed in 1901 and reorganized in 1920 as the Gulf Yachting Association.

The first Pass Christian Yacht Club quarters was destroyed by the Hurricane of 1915. The Club sponsored sail racing in the Sound as well as motor boat racing in Bayou Portage. Following the depression years, in 1937 the down-sized Club was reorganized by a group of local citizens meeting at the old, red-brick, four-story, school-house on Scenic Drive and Hiern Avenue, when Bernard Knost was elected Commodore.

Also, the newly formed Skipperette Club voted Mrs. Peggy Gause as its Commodore. In 1938, the Knost Regatta for female skippers came into existence, honoring Bernard Knost, and has since continued as an annual event of the Pass Christian Yacht Club.

The Mander’s Beach lot property located south of Scenic Drive between Hiern Avenue and Market Street was purchased for a new clubhouse. The hurricane of 1947 caused some damages to it, followed by its expropriation in 1953 by the Mississippi Highway Department for four-lane construction of U.S. Highway 90. Above 1950s photo shows Lipton Regatta participants -- Left to Right: Donald Sutter, Tut Alfonso, Oscar Cassibry, Jr., Oscar Cassbry, Sr., W.L. Bill Barbour, Vincent Alfonso, Joe Alfonso, and Bob Lefeure.

On July 26, 1953, PCYC celebrated its new location on the peninsula that juts into the Sound from the foot of Market Street. The man-made peninsula originated from previous oyster canneries which had dumped oyster shells for many decades. A Quonset hut, once used by the old Dunbar-Dukate canning company, was renovated into new quarters for the Yacht Club. In June of 1958, the Club negotiated a property and lease exchange with the City administration and now owns parts of the property in addition to leases effected in 1985, 1991, and 1992. (The above photo shows 1965 Hurricane Betsy damages -- Below is Camille.)

Then came August of 1969, when the old Quonset Hut was obliterated by Hurricane Camille. This resulted in a temporary clubhouse being established in the then vacant Crescent Hotel at 127 W. Beach. (The site of the current Harbour Inn located on Scenic Drive on the ridge above from where the PCYC had its earlier club at the Mander’s beach lot.)

Ribbon cutting for the present Club headquarters took place on December 16, 1971. Its first addition took place in 1975, and it was expanded, renovated, and redecorated in 1987. Again, in '95 and '96, extensive renovations were made to the building and its docks. PCYC also sports a four-lane regulation swimming pool measuring 35 x 82 feet.

During a stopover at Curacao, Dr. Rafferty became aware of a large anchor which intrigued him and he re-visited it during follow up port calls. The doctor purchased the huge anchor and enlisted several crewmen to have it secreted aboard ship without the knowledge of the ship’s captain.

At New Orleans once more, the anchor was quietly taken off the vessel and stored in a warehouse until Rip Terrell and Harry Wittmann were able to arrive with a flat-bed truck to hoist it and bring it to Pass Christian where Harry Spence was waiting with his wrecker. Dr. Rafferty presented it to the PCYC along with a plaque which he fictitiously inscribed as follows.

"Anchor from British Bell, slaver, 350 ton square rigged ship. Sailed from Accra, West Africa, consigned to a New Orleans firm. Foundered on the island of Little Curacao. D-W-I on her maiden voyage, Good Friday, March 20, 1834. Captain and crew of 108, cargo of 210 human beings lost. Mayhap by the wrath of an angry God. Donated to Pass Christian Yacht Club by Physician, Traveler and Cosmopolite."

The large anchor, showing a shank approximately 12-feet-long – with flukes approximately 8-feet-long is located on the Yacht Club’s lawn.