Location Information
(for the Dr. Gilbert R. Mason Sr. Medical Office)
Name:Dr. Gilbert R. Mason Sr. Medical Office
Address:607 (670) Division Street
City/County:Biloxi, Harrison County
Architectural Information
Construction Date:1966
Architectural Styles(s):Modern
No. of Stories:1
Registration Information
NR Listing Date:28 Sep 2017
View National Register Nomination Form
Easement Information
Date Signed:03-29-2010
Expires:03-29-2035
Easement Type:Preservation/Maintenance
Book/Vol. No.:Book 2010 Instrument 2353 D-J2
Context/Comments
This building was the medical office of Dr. Gilbert Mason, an African American physician who was a prominent in the Civil Rights Movement in Biloxi. Mason was one of the leaders of the "Wade-In" on the whites-only Biloxi beach in 1959, and his previous office was firebombed. Later in his career, Mason was the first African American member of the Board of Trustees for the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

It was listed on the National Register on 28 September 2017.

The building included in "Buildings of Mississippi" (2020) (p. 352, GC32).
Brief Description
One-story, two-bay, mid-century modern, brick veneer doctor's office with flat roof. The front is composed of an entry door on the left and a ribbon-window two the right, both of which are recessed beneath the overhang of the roof and divided by perpendicular wall extensions in the mode of brise-soleil. The flush door has a single sidelight on its right side and is protected by an iron security door. Each side has two small sliding aluminums windows toward the rear, corresponding to the three examining rooms and the doctor's office. There is also a rear entrance recessed beneath the back right corner. The red brick veneer is in running bond on the sides, but more decorative beneath the ribbon windows on the front with a checking of protruding headers. "Gilbert R. Mason, M.D." and the medical doctor's serpent and staff symbol are articulated in metal and affixed to this area.
Historic Information
Built for Dr. Gilbert R. Mason in 1966, this modern new design was a standout on Division Street and a sophisticated upgrade from the doctor's previous office across Division Street. The building is significant for its association with civil rights leader Dr. Gilbert R. Mason and the civil rights movement in Biloxi. See National Register nomination for full information.

The Gulf Coast office of MDAH received a copy of the the 1966 plans by John T. & Leonard A. Collins during the post Hurricane Katrina restoration.