The Building & History

Contact Information

French Settlement

Stephen C. Crawford

228-332-2289

frenchsettlement@gmail.com

The French Settlement building is a post and beam construction that encompasses both historic and modern aspects of construction on the Gulf Coast. Being the only wooden structure in Bay St. Louis Mississippi to be rated to withstand 200+MPH winds, French Settlement is a testament to its core values and location.

Stephen Crawford, the building's owner, worked to tie in the rich history of Bienville and of Bay St. Louis in a modern structure. Looking back to the roots of the area, Stephen worked to create a structure that would be a major facet of the Bay St. Louis landscape.

 On August 25, the Feast Day of Saint Louis, Bienville explored a small bay which he named the Bay of Saint Louis in honor of Louis IX, King of France 1214—1270.  Louis IX led the Crusades of 1248 and 1270, dying on his final Crusade.  He was canonized in 1297.

(http://www.hancockcountyhistoricalsociety.com/vignettes/jean-baptiste-le-moyne-sieur-de-bienville/ )

Many of the signature design items on French Settlement bear resemblance to the ships that landed here several hundred years ago.