The Great Gulf Coast

"The Great Gulf Coast - Sails, Trails and Rails" is exactly as its name states. It is the elucidation of coastal transportation from early times to the present. With the exception of air travel, Ellis's chronicles begin with describing the water vessels that traveled the lakes, bayous, and the Mississippi Sound. In this regard, he unfolds the colonial periods of domination by the French, British, and Spanish. And the flags honoring those nations went through serial changes until 1811, when the first American banner was raised displaying 15 stars and stripes. This flag was presented by Dr. William Flood as he commanded his schooner, the Alligator, in making several stopovers along the Coast. Mississippi went from being a territory to statehood - and its early first settlers experienced the Great Migration and the establishment of the Antebellum era. With the influx of new people, the early coastal towns and cities were primarily engaged in farming, fishing, lumbering, and ship building. As New Orleans and inland plantations became attracted to the health benefits and exotic charm of the Gulf Coast, each of the coastal villages began vying against each other in attracting the rich Louisiana planters and businessmen. Health resorts developed into famed "Watering Places" as grandiose hotels were built to accommodate and entertain the Cream of Southern Society.
About the Author: Originally from New Orleans, in 1990, Ellis established permanent residence at his Pass Christian weekend home. His interest in writing lead to publishing vignette columns in local newspapers. Upon researching for his first community heritage book, he realized that a significant amount of misinformation abounded. This resulted in his seeking primary source in-formation from archival records in Mobile, Alabama, Jackson, Mississippi, New Orleans, Louisiana, and from local courthouses and churches. Ellis's books are filled with treasured photographs and maps; and he takes special effort to seek out individuals, whether obscure or prominent - those who can add a touch of personal experience by revealing anecdotal interviews. Not being able to find a publisher, Ellis was determined to get his history books to the general public, so he learned to be a self-publisher and now distributes his history books through bookstores and gift shops and the Internet. He also publishes much information to his several web sites providing free access to information and photographs. Ellis's books are computerized in order to enable easy updating and error corrections. He calls himself an Historiographer and Scrutinier, which simply translates to a "writer of history with authenticity."