Fifty years ago, Yazoo architect John E. DeCell gained national attention for his vision surrounding the style of the newly constructed Bank of Yazoo City building. The grand opening of the local bank’s office on Main and Broadway, where it is located to this day, was a monumental occasion for the community.
But it is interesting to note that one of the style elements surrounding the bank’s main office location has become almost an icon of the banking institute. Ever notice the three arches used in the bank’s logo? You can thank DeCell for that idea.
The grand opening of the local bank’s headquarters was held on April 26, 1973. The festivities included a ribbon-cutting by Miss Mississippi, detailed tours and even a drawing for a “Millionaire for a Day” contest with the winner receiving one day’s interest on one million dollars, a pair of diamond earrings, an Oriental rug and a deluxe selection of top-quality filet mignon steaks.
Local architect Decell was the vision behind many of the style elements associated with the bank’s new location. He was known throughout the state and country for his extensive design work from many of the government buildings within Yazoo County to historic renovations in New Orleans. Locally, he designed the Yazoo County Courthouse addition, the Ricks Memorial Library addition, as well as several local residences.
But it was Decell’s ideas behind BYC that earned him recognition in the The Mississippi Architect magazine in June of 1974. The article, “A Stitch in Time” by Elizabeth Reynolds, called Decell’s design “an arresting interpretation of the shapes and relationships evident in the late nineteenth century commercial storefront architecture that fortunately still abounds throughout Mississippi.”
“The architect wisely chose to relate his design to the historic architecture that would be viewed along the same street,” the article continued. “But he did not try to imitate, and as a result, the bank building is a successful aesthetic contribution to the field of architecture as well as the community in which it functions.”
According to an article announcing Decell’s recognition in The Yazoo Herald, it states that Decell “drew the idea for the Bank of Yazoo City building from the segmented arches found on the back of the stores which front on Main Street.”
The bank’s arches in its logo? That inspiration was taken from the back of Main Street storefronts.
