What we do
A strong civic association has proven to be the best way, economically and politically, for a community to maintain its value and mitigate the necessary changes that come with growth and age. Since 1955, the Gulf Hills Civic Association has provided an avenue for residents to come together, express their concerns to various Jackson County agencies and those agencies consult the association on plans for the area. Â
In the early days of the association, efforts were focused on ensuring that Gulf Hills had the necessary infrastructure and services. Supporting the founding of volunteer fire departments was critical. Sixty-five years later, we are engaged in balancing growth in the adjoining commercial properties with maintaining the highest possible value and standard of living for our residents.
The Gulf Hills Civic Association is not a Home Owners Association (HOA) with required yearly fees, building guidelines, and supported activities. Rather, Gulf Hills abides by the zoning regulations and general rules of Jackson County. Our civic association, particularly through its Board of Directors, provides leadership in moving the community forward and using its collective influence to assert our concerns and desires. When a resident has a concern, a problem, that issue is brought to a director who in turn delivers the specifics for discussion and direction at the next Board of Directors meeting. Using this process, the full resources of the civic association can be used to influence the best resolution.
 Staying true to our charter, we continually look for ways to bring residents together, providing opportunities for the true community through activities and celebrations. You will find in our calendar of events holiday celebrations, membership meetings, a community yard sale, and beautification efforts. The civic association has also taken the initiative to use county roadside areas in Gulf Hills to generate planted gardens for purposes of beautification and public use. Within this website, you will find pictures of the Gulf Hills Memorial Garden, our most recognizable effort.
History
In 1927, the Braniger Brothers Development Corporation, from Chicago, IL, developed Gulf Hills destined to be a resort like no other in its era. This was accomplished with a beautiful and challenging golf course, clubhouse, boating activities, and 13 upscale homes. These homes were built with no kitchens and no laundry facilities. Residents of this exclusive community took all meals at the clubhouse and their laundry was picked up and returned clean and folded by clubhouse employees.
Legend has it that the resort was developed especially for the seclusion and entertainment of Chicago crime figure, Al Capone. In the clubhouse was a fabulous lounge called “The Pink Pony”. Photos show movie stars, gangsters and members of the “upper crust” enjoying drinks, dancing and entertainment. Elvis Presley frequented The Pink Pony and loved to play the piano and just relax in this comfortable and secure atmosphere. During this time, the course was so popular that tee times were actually auctioned off to the highest bidder the night before. It was at this time that the Gulf Hills Civic Association was formed to promote the interests of the residents and property owners in the Gulf Hills community.
In 1962, Gulf Hills Dude Ranch, Inc. purchased the resort properties and created a new entertainment paradigm. The Dude Ranch became very popular for horseback riding, hay rides, square dancing and swimming in addition to maintaining the Golf Club and hotel. At the same time, a separate investment and development companies were established to start selling home sites on the sprawling acreage. Visitor and tourists to the Dude Ranch would quickly become interested in buying and building their own part of this residential resort community.
As the Gulf Hills community approached its 65th anniversary, the Dude Ranch had moved back into a golf club and hotel complex and the owners looked to sell to new investors. The Treasure Bay Casino first took up the property for a few years, then sold to a Taiwanese company that looked to attract foreign tourist into the golfing resort. Within a few years, this company decided to sell the property. It was at this time that residents of Gulf Hills and players of the golf club banded together and purchased the course and hotel. In 1998, the Gulf Hills Hotel and Conference Center and Royal Gulf Hills Golf Club were formed as separate companies that lasted until 2019 when the golf club was sold to a local family. As of the beginning of 2020, Gulf Hills is moving into its next phase with aggressive home building, remodeling, excellent schools, amenities of a growing city, a thriving restaurant and lounge near the hotel, and owners of the resort properties that want to continue with the legacy of our unique beginnings.
Charter
On July 6th, 1955, Lewis E. Curtis, secretary of the newly formed Gulf Hills Civic Association recorded that the members had voted on January 11th of that year to apply for non-profit designation with the Mississippi Secretary of State. The next week, the non-profit charter was presented on July 13, 1955. Guided by its first president, Warren Jackson, this association started working for its residents to ensure the quality of life that many had already put stake in and so many more would come afterward.
The Charter was stated to the Secretary of State as the purpose to exist is:
To promote and encourage the development of the residential area known as Gulf Hills, in Jackson County, Mississippi, for the best interests of the present and future residents of such area; to encourage among the members closer personal acquaintance and a friendly spirit of mutual cooperation; to acquire, maintain and operate equipment and vehicles for the prevention of fires, or the extinguishing thereof, in Gulf Hills and adjacent property, or to contract for such services; and generally, to do and perform all other acts incidental or necessary to the operation of a community civic association.
