Tuesday afternoon a sign company worked to wrestle the large, circular symbol from its longstanding perch, high atop the Isle of Capri Casino Hotel.

Sunday marked the official closing of the city’s original — at least in modern times — casino at Natchez Under-the-Hill.

The closure of the casino marked the end of a long chapter — approximately 22 years — in Natchez’s history.

First opened as the Lady Luck Casino, the little boat at the foot of Silver Street once generated a pile of cash for its owners and in the process, spun off some good works throughout the community.

After seven years of operating as Lady Luck, the Isle of Capri Corp., purchased the casino in 2000, rebranding it and giving it a new lease on life.

Among the most obvious impacts of the Isle of Capri was its payroll of approximately 240 people at its end.

That loss will hurt our community. We pray that those affected can find good jobs elsewhere in our community.

Another large impact through the years was the Isle of Capri’s regular payments of civic rent. That was often paid in the form of real dollars to non-profits and other causes in the community. At other times that civic rent was paid through the involvement and volunteerism of the Isle’s employees.

In both cases, the community was improved through their efforts. Even ardent opponents to gaming should be able to see and appreciate that, at least in its heydays, the Isle was a good civic partner to Natchez and Adams County.

As another chapter of Natchez’s history closes, a new one may open soon. The Isle’s departure may wind up being very good for the economy of Silver Street, depending upon how it’s developed.