Long Beach in Harrison County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Early Bank and Post Office

Photographed by Mark Hilton, February 22, 2015

1. Early Bank and Post Office Marker

Inscription. Oldest commercial building on Jeff Davis Avenue. Built in 1924 by Hancock County Bank as its second branch. Located in Long Beach primarily to serve this area's growing truck farming industry. Because of the Great Depression, the branch was moved in 1933 to Gulfport. The city library located here for few months in 1939-1940. Southern Star Lodge No. 55 F. & A. M. purchased building in 1940. After renovations, Masons first met in this new upstairs hall February 7, 1941. Mrs Minnie Dubuisson, postmaster, rented building's first floor in 1942 for Long Beach Post Office where it remained until 1960. First home mail deliveries made from this site in 1947.

Erected 1998 by the Long Beach Historical Society and Hancock Bank.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Postal Mail and Philately series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1901.

Location. 30° 20.97′ N, 89° 9.052′ W. Marker is in Long Beach, Mississippi, in Harrison County. It is at the intersection of Jeff Davis Avenue and East 2nd Street, on the right when traveling south on Jeff Davis Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 126 Jeff Davis Avenue, Long Beach MS 39560, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Long Beach Schools (within shouting distance of this marker); City of Long Beach Centennial 1905-2005 (within shouting distance of this marker); Hurricane Katrina / Storm Recovery (within shouting distance of this marker); Long Beach World War II Monument (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Long Beach Presbyterian Church (about 700 feet away); War Memorial Park (about 700 feet away); United Methodist Church (about 800 feet away); First Baptist Church Original Site (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Long Beach.

Old bank today houses an upscale coffee bistro and salon. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, February 22, 2015

2. Old bank today houses an upscale coffee bistro and salon.

View from City Hall towards old bank. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, February 22, 2015

3. View from City Hall towards old bank.

View from marker towards City Hall and East 2nd Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, February 22, 2015

4. View from marker towards City Hall and East 2nd Street

Current restored Hancock Bank image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Google Street View

5. Current restored Hancock Bank

One block north of old bank, the current bank was renovated after Hurricane Katrina.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 538 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 24, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.