History of Fernwood Junior High School in Biloxi, Mississippi explored.

This news article will explain the history behind one of Biloxi’s most well-remembered schools called Fernwood Junior High School.


Fernwood Junior High School was constructed around the year of 1945. However the exact date of when Fernwood Junior High School was constructed and opened is unknown. (Ref: https://www.apps.mdah.ms.gov/Public/prop.aspx?id=10569&view=facts&y=1024)

Additions were incorporated onto the original building over the years. Extensive additions were made in 1948 and 1956. There were several additions made to the building throughout the 1950s as the school district had surplus funding. (Ref: http://opac2.mdah.state.ms.us/rgfindingaids/series1660_plansinv.html)

As a result of the opening of Beauvoir Elementary School and Fernwood Junior High School at the beginning of the year, several of the other schools showed a decrease in enrollment as students were assigned to the new schools. Of course Fernwood Junior High School was designated specifically for students in grades 7 through 9. Fernwood Junior High School became a middle school called Fernwood Middle School in the late 1970s for students in grades 6 through 8 and then reverted back into being a junior high school for students in grades 7 through 9 in the 1990s. High school students transported to the Biloxi schools. Fernwood Junior High School was one of the westernmost of Biloxi’s schools. (Ref: https://www.biloxischools.net/cms/lib07/MS01910473/Centricity/Domain/94/1950s.pdf)


Fernwood Junior High School was hit by a tornado/hurricane in September of 1985. Hurricane Elena struck on September 1, 1985. The tornado damaged the roof and a room of Fernwood Junior High. The roofs of unoccupied sections were damaged. Refugees merely battened down and rode out the storm after a tornado struck an empty classroom just a few yards away. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/722458190/)

An old masonry chimney crashed through the roof of a classroom. Another wing of the building was being used as a shelter at the time. (Ref: https://www.nap.edu/read/1765/chapter/8#107)

On December 3, 1998, the district court issued Fernwood Junior High School and Nichols Junior High School to be closed. All students would be transferred to attend classes at the current Michel Junior High School campus. (Ref: https://www.biloxischools.net/cms/lib07/MS01910473/Centricity/Domain/94/1990s.pdf)

May. 19, 2011 was the date Fernwood Junior High School was demolished after being vacant since 2009. May. 19, 2011 was the date crews began tearing down the former Fernwood Junior High School at the corner of DeBuys and Pass Road. The demolition and asbestos removal costed more than $105,500 and demolition took 90 days to complete. The Biloxi School District had a problem securing the property. People were breaking into the building. There was also evidence and signs of people building fires in the building during the winter season. (Ref: https://www.wlox.com/story/14680612/old/)

["We had a problem securing the property. Over the years, we have folks who break into the building, actually stay in the building, as you might imagine. And when the weather gets kind of cold, there's evidence that folks have been building fires in there," said Dr. Paul Tisdale, Biloxi Schools Superintendent.]

The addresses for Fernwood Junior High School were as follows:

2329 East Pass Road, Biloxi, Mississippi, US 39507
2329 Pass Road, Biloxi, Mississippi, US 39507
2829 Pass Road, Biloxi, Mississippi, US 39531
2329 East Pass Road, Gulfport, Mississippi, US 39507