Long Beach, Mississippi, was once known as the "radish capital of America." The famous long reds were grown in the fertile soil of the area and were shipped to all points north to be served alongside drinks in beer halls. From the town's incorporation in 1905 through the 1920s, Long Beach was a hub of the truck farming industry. Along with the famous radishes, growers cultivated pear, citrus, and pecan orchards, fields of strawberries, and other produce. Nurseries that produced lilies and gladiolas also thrived. Although the truck farming boom ended, Long Beach has continued to grow, today relying on the tourists that visit the Gulf Coast for the beautiful sandy beaches and Southern hospitality. The city has been devastated by hurricanes in its long history, from the first documented hurricane of 1909 through Hurricane Katrina, but it has persevered and continues to survive. Long Beach richly deserves its motto as the "Friendly City."
