Ocean Springs State Bank and Post Office

Ocean Springs State Bank and Post Office. . , This imposing structure at 1001 Government Street is said to have been the first brick building constructed in downtown Ocean Springs. New Orleans architect William Drago designed the two story 4000 sq ft building, constructed in 1909. The Ocean Springs State Bank opened here in 1910 under the leadership of building committee chairman H.F. Russell. In addition to Russell, many other familiar surnames that now name local streets can be found amongst the Bank's officers and directors: Bailey, Arndt, Seymour, Lockard, Weed, and Davis. , Ocean Springs State Bank occupied the south end of the ground floor, with a drugstore occupying the other half. Medical and dental offices filled the second floor. Years later, an 1800 sq ft addition was occupied by the US Post Office from 1914-1954. Extensive renovation was done to the building in 1927, adding a Bank vault from the Mosler Safe Company with floors, walls and ceiling of reinforced concrete 21 inches thick. After merging with another bank, the facade of the Ocean Springs State Bank Building was remodeled in 1954-1955, under the supervision of local architect Claude H. Lindsley. The grand arches were filled in and the entrance was moved from Washington Ave to the south Government St side. In 1998, The Cornerstone Group Financial Consultants purchased and renovated the building, adding landscaping, and a beautifully appointed courtyard. , Postcard image loaned from a private collection; Image taken around 1910 This informational sign is part of a community project led by the Historic Ocean Springs Association, and is made possible by a grant from the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area. , We thank the City of Ocean Springs for their support of this project.