Word has gone out from the Highway Bureau of the Mississippi Development Board, located at the Chamber of Commerce in Gulfport, that the affairs of the Mississippi Gulf Coast to Chicago Highway were never more active than at the present time. The entire Mississippi Coast has consolidated to make this highway project one of the leading features of the rapid development of that section—the “Seven Cities of the Sea,” Pascagoula, Ocean Springs, Biloxi, Gulfport, Long Beach, Pass Christian and Bay St. Louis, having combined in a supreme effort for advancement and the report is very encouraging.
This great North and South highway has been a road builder from the start, many permanent improvements having been made, and a great many more under way or in immediate prospect. It is said that daily reports coming in to the Bureau, indicating that it will be no great while before there will be a thousand miles of hard-surfaced roadway between the Gulf and the Lake.
The official car of the organization, which has been duly incorporated under the laws of Mississippi, will be sent North early in July to place thousands of very attractive markers along the way for the guidance of tourists, many of whom are even now using the highway. This marker is being made from the original drawing of a Magnolia blossom, the official emblem of the highway, made from a living model by the Art Department of the Gulf Park College in a prize contest in which fourteen young lady students of the college participated.
Applications have been sent to the various Chambers of Commerce and city authorities along the route for a specific routing for the highway through numerous towns on the line to Chicago. This action was taken that there might be no misunderstanding anywhere along the line as to which way the highway should pass through a town or city.
It is understood that early action will be taken in Hopkinsville by the authorities here and that the best and most attractive route through Hopkinsville will be selected and that the marking car of the “Magnolia Route” will be cordially welcomed.