I would like to thank Dan Ellis for putting together the history of Timber Ridge. If you have not done so yet, please check out his website http://www.passchristian.net. Mr. Ellis is also the editor to the Timber Ridge Reporter where all the articles you read here on the website come from. Thanks again!!

 

With the formation of the Mexican Gulf Land Development Corporation by Elliot and Leland Henderson in 1904, began a cycle of sales promotions of the areas now known as Henderson Point and Pass Christian Isles. However, due to a hurricane in 1906, followed by the onset of World War I, the project was slowed.

In July, 1926, the Pass Christian Isles Company was formed which began dredging activity beginning at a few hundred feet north of the L&N Railroad tracks at Henderson Point and extended to Bayou Portage. The dredged soil was used to build up the occasional low spots that were lower than 12-feet above sea-level. The planned 1400-acre development was unique for the Mississippi Coast by establishing a large yacht harbor basin several hundred feet square. It connected the waters of Bay of St. Louis with a series of inland lagoons and waterways that created Pass Christian Isles. The lagoons and canals were designed to wind through the development for a distance of nearly seven miles.

The wooden Bay-bridge scheduled for earlier construction was not completed until 1928. In the meantime, the Drackett Ferry carried passengers and cars to and fro between Henderson Point and Bay St. Louis with an alternate route that coursed around the north-side of the Bay through the villages at Kiln and DeLisle before reaching Pass Christian.

A million-dollar plaza was also planned to be strung along Highway 90, at the Bay, with anticipations of it being the hub of a business district for Pass Christian Isles. A Mediterranean architectural design included a commercial hotel, an amphitheater, a restaurant, an expansive patio, and two high-class stores, with the entire compound surrounded by an 18-hole gulf course. However, only the resort hotel was completed, which became the famous Inn By the Sea, which included a very small golf course.
Soon afterwards, the "Great Depression of the 30s" had its toll as the project fell into receivership to bank creditors in New Orleans. Even the hotel languished and was eventually taken over as a Merchant Marine Training Academy in 1942, and later abandoned.

In 1976, the old buildings were razed and the Gulfshore Baptist Assembly Mission Complex was built at a cost that exceeded its original estimate of $13,000,000.

Pass Christian Isles Golf Club, Inc. was incorporated in April of 1952. Prior to that, the area abounded in wild game for local hunters and was used as open range for cattle. At some time during its history it was also used as a local race track for quarter-horses. Even today, it is not unusual to find a red fox or a young white-tail deer jauntily crossing the road bed. The surrounding area is a bird sanctuary where bird-watchers frequently take photographs of feathered and furred creatures of the woods and thickets.

The Golf Clubhouse is located in the heart of Timber Ridge amidst tall yellow pines, Live oaks, and magnolias. The well-kept, manicured greens of the Pass Christian Isles Golf Club made a cut through both Timber Ridge and Pass Christian Isles providing a Country Club ambiance. The 18 holes of play can be found along natural and man-made ravines and ponds. The lovely Bayou Boisdoré, Golden Woods, cuts its path through the fairways, attended by a wooden bridge providing access across it for carts and golfers. The tree-lined fairways and well-bunkered small greens make it a challenge for golfers of all abilities. Some of the Coast's most challenging holes are encountered along the 6,480 yards of play.