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A legendary blues hall changes hands in Bay St. Louis, but the new owners will carry on the previous owners' dream of creating a community hub.
- story and photos by Ellis Anderson 
100 Men Hall's new owners, Rachel and son "Tin" Dangermond
100 Men Hall, post-Katrina condition, when the Loyas saved it from demolition.
When former owners Jesse and Kerrie Loya bought 100 Men Hall (303 Union Street) in 2006, they saved the derelict building from certain post-Katrina demolition. The couple added on a spacious living area and moved in with their family.
Continuing the rehab, the Loyas reopened the hall as a music and event venue in 2010. The building had come full circle. In the mid-1900s, 100 Men Hall had been a rocking stop for blues performers like BB King, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry and James Brown. Under the Loyas’ stewardship, the hall has hosted everything from weddings to Cajun dance parties in the past eight years. 
100 Men Hall 2011
Gloria Payne and Gregory Barabino in 100 Men Hall during a 2010 oral history project event
Marsha Ball at 100 Men Hall concert 2015
Cajun Dance Party, 2106
Cajun Dance Party, April 2016
The building’s fascinating history was a major part of the allure for Rachel Dangermond, who is a writer, consultant and experienced community facilitator. After visiting Bay St. Louis several times for solo writing retreats, the New Orleans native began considering relocation to the coast. The Bay seemed an idyllic place for her nine-year-old son to grow up.
And the peaceful setting would provide the perfect backdrop for the writers’ workshop side of her career that she planned to expand. She’d been facilitating the memoir-writing workshops in her home for years, yet wanted to offer them more frequently and in a more formal setting. A coast friend who knew about Dangermond’s plans sent her information on 100 Men Hall when it came up for sale. The writer filed it away until, after a trying day, she pulled up the link to the hall’s for-sale page. She called immediately for a showing. 
100 Men Hall, 2015
“We walked in and said ‘This is it! This is where I can have workshops, facilitate, have pop-ups for artists,’” said the writer recalling her first viewing. “The rest was just details. From the moment I made that decision, people have come out of the woodwork to help make this possible.”
The hall’s listing agent, Holly Lemoine-Ramond, noted that the sale itself was seamless. “We had lots of interest, but this was meant to be. When we all met for the first time, there was an instant connection. While Kerry and Jesse knew they couldn’t choose who bought their place, it was wonderful to have a purchaser carrying on with the same basic concept.” Real estate agent Matt Stieffel has been friends with Dangermond for two years and represented her in the sale. “I’m very excited for Rachel and her exciting new chapter resurrecting 100 Men Hall,” Stieffel said. “Bay St. Louis is lucky to have her as a resident and proprietor for such an iconic piece of our history.” 
Deacon John and Pat Murphy checking to the new Blues Trail marker at the dedication ceremony, 2011
Even though Dangermond and her son are still unpacking, she says she’ll be ready to host a workshop forMississippi Heritage Trust (MHT), August 8 – 10. MHT’s director, Lolly Rash, had originally contacted the Loyas about hosting the event. Dangermond decided to dive right in after discussing the transition with Rash.
Ironically, the workshop focuses on financing and tax credits for historic buildings that are used for businesses. “I’m going to participate too because I need to know these things,” said Dangermond.
Although her business partner, son Tin, may be watching cartoons instead of attending the historic workshop, he’s still excited about learning the ropes of running an event venue at 100 Men Hall.
“We’re going to split the money,” Tin said, during the Shoofly Magazine photo session. “He’s the hundred-and-first man,” said Dangermond, laughing. “If nothing else [comes out of this venture], he’s going to learn the skills of running a business.” Between unpacking boxes and getting Tin ready to start school, the writer is still finding a bit of time to appreciate her new community. She mentioned several helpful neighbors and new friends helping to smooth the big transition. “I’m so thrilled to be in Bay St. Louis,” she said. “The first day I spent in the hall, I took a long walk on the beach. It felt like trumpets were blowing.” 
Click below for more information and to register for the free Mississippi Heritage Trust workshop at 100 Men Hall, August 8 -10, 2018. Space is limited, so reserve now!
The story of a historic elementary school's transformation into a home is told in an episode of "You Live In What?" premiering Friday, May 25th on the Great American Country channel (GAC).
The Webb Schoolhouse, a designated Mississippi Landmark, is featured in an HGTV show, "You Live in What," premiering May 25, 2018.
A former schoolhouse built over 100 years ago in Bay St. Louis will be featured in “You Live In What?” a popular HGTV series. The new episode premiers on Friday, May 25, at 8pm CST on HGTV’s affiliate channel, Great American Country Network (GAC).
The Webb Schoolhouse was built in 1913 as a school for first through fourth graders. In 2002, it was purchased and restored, and now serves as the home of Larry and Ellis Anderson Jaubert. The building is deemed one of the most architecturally significant buildings in the state and has the highest historic designation offered by Mississippi – Landmark status. Local realtor Holly Lemoine-Raymond acts as an informal scout for “You Live in What” and other HGTV productions. In the past two years, she’s pitched several historic buildings in Bay St. Louis to producers at Beyond Media, the company that has produced five seasons of the show for HGTV's GAC Network.
Here's the upcoming viewing schedule for the episode that includes Bay St. Louis's Webb Schoolhouse
Click on the viewing schedule to go to the episode's webpage!
The team has apparently fallen hard for Bay St. Louis. The Webb School is the fourth historic Bay St. Louis building to be featured in the series.
The production team filmed the episode in January 2018. Beyond Media producer, Brantley Ferrell and his team spent most of the day filming at Webb School for what eventually would be boiled down to a four-minute segment. Ferrell called the Bay St. Louis experience “outstanding,” and cited the team’s main reasons for returning frequently: “the beautiful Southern coastal setting, friendly and eclectic people and incredible food.” 
“Ellis Anderson's benevolent hospitality made our entire crew feel like family. And [Webb School] carries with it such a fascinating story and preservation of the past… we were blessed to have been able to make it part of ‘You Live in What,” says Ferrell.
Ferrell credits Lemoine-Raymond with introducing the team to Bay St. Louis and acting as their personal tour guide when they’re in town filming. The realtor says she believed from the beginning that the transformation of Webb School into a home would be a great story. “I can’t wait to see this beautiful, historic building featured in the show,” says Lemoine-Raymond. “It’s another opportunity for our little community to be featured on a global stage!” Meanwhile, Ferrell and his crew are hoping for another opportunity next season to return to the Bay’s historic district. “Make no mistake,” he says. “Bay St. Louis is at the top of our travel list.” 
Holly Lemoine-Raymond (l), producer Brantley Ferrell and the crew from
The preliminary design for a new four-story, 59-room hotel slated for one of the most significant corners in Old Town garnered unanimous conceptual approval by the Bay St. Louis Historic Commission on July 10th. - by Lisa Monti  Preliminary rendering of the North Beach Hotel. At four stories, the hotel will be coming in under the city's 50 ft height limitation. Rendering courtesy Trapolin-Peer Architects
HGTV features Bay St. Louis for the second - and third - times in 2017 as two new segments premier this month on the Great American Country network, in the show "You Live in What?"
- story by Ellis Anderson 
Built in 1840, the building at 201 Main Street is believed to be the oldest continually operating commercial buildings on the Mississippi Coast.
Bay St. Louis blogger Lisa Monti posts big news about the historic A&G Theatre on Beach Blvd. in Old Town.
The A&G won a 2010 Restoration Award from the BSL Historic Preservation Commission. The building is now under contract by New Orleans developer Jim MacPhaille.
 The website Smart Asset listed Bay St. Louis as one of the ten Most Affordable Beach Towns in America. The city's historic district played a big part in helping snag the recognition. According to the website, BSL made the list because:
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