Walk into the Errol Bradley State Farm office on Reynoir Street and you are instantly enveloped in the history of Biloxi. Nearly every wall in the building is lined with framed black-and-white photos of old Biloxi, telling the story of seafood factories, Blessing of the Fleet, the aftermath of Hurricane Camille, and the Hermit of Deer Island, to name a few.
“These photos in my office, I have collected throughout the years,” Bradley said. “It’s all old Biloxi, many things that we have lost because of the devastation from hurricanes.”
Bradley is the longtime owner and an agent of the State Farm office, a career he has had for almost 50 years. He was born and raised in Biloxi and appreciates the city’s culture and history. When talking with him, it is evident of his joy in being Biloxian.
These qualities and a long list of civic causes are a few of the reasons why Bradley has been chosen as this year’s Biloxi Outstanding Citizen of the Year during a Lions Club luncheon Wednesday.
“I am humbled at this honor,” Bradley said. “I have seen some of the other inductees and am astounded to now be part of that group.”
Bradley begin his community involvement in the early 1960s when he joined the Biloxi Jaycees.
“It wasn’t work. It was fun with the people in Biloxi,” Bradley said. “From there I went to Biloxi Chamber of Commerce, active with them, then the Biloxi Business Council and from there the Biloxi Bay Chamber of Commerce.”
Through his active involvement with many of these organizations, Bradley has been instrumental in coordinating several community projects, including the restoring and moving of the arched Biloxi sign to the Biloxi Town Green.
“This is one I am proud of,” Bradley said. “When I was in kindergarten, and first grade, when you came out of the Pizzetta building you were at the park were the ballast arches and pillars were, right here on Reynoir Street. It was on the corner and welcomed people to Biloxi as they stepped off the train. And that park was the L & N Park.”
It took years, but through Bradley’s service with the Biloxi Bay Chamber, the Tricentennial committee was able to re-create the sign and move the twin pillars to the a prominent corner of the Town Green at Main Street and U.S. 90. The clear bulbs spelling out Biloxi are changed to red and green at Christmastime, and to purple, green and gold at Mardi Gras.
“I am proud when I see it in lights and tourists taking pictures. It makes me feel good.” Bradley said with a smile.
Other projects include the replanting of the 12 palms in Biloxi’s Businessmen’s Park, establishing a marker and gravesite in the Biloxi Cemetery for the Hermit of Deer Island, and “The Biloxi History Cruise” that sails twice a year on the original Pan American Clipper.
Bradley, however, quickly points to others who also volunteer to make the events happen.
See images of Errol Bradley’s office
Hear more from Errol Bradley
See the program and the honorees
