Scranton's Restaurant Mural | Pascagoula, Mississippi
Artist Banks Compton created this colorful exterior mural at Scranton's | Restaurant & Catering in downtown Pascagoula, Mississippi, as part of an effort to bring new artwork and attention to the city's historic downtown.
The mural draws inspiration from the coastal landscape and visual culture of Pascagoula, combining great blue herons, water, waves, sunlight, and bold decorative patterns with a large hand-painted “Welcome to Downtown Pascagoula”message.
Banks wanted the imagery to immediately feel connected to its location. While painting the project in 2023, he told WLOX that he wanted to incorporate recognizable elements of Pascagoula, specifically mentioning the great blue heron, sun, and water.
Celebrating Coastal Pascagoula Through Public Art
Client: Scranton's Restaurant
Location: Pascagoula, Mississippi
Artist: Banks Compton
Year: 2023
Project: Exterior Commercial & Downtown Mural
Imagery: Great Blue Herons, Water, Sunlight & Coastal Wildlife
Theme: Pascagoula, Mississippi Gulf Coast & Downtown Revitalization
Project at a Glance
Inspired by the Mississippi Gulf Coast
The design centers around two large great blue herons, their long beaks crossing in front of a glowing coastal sun. Waves, water, palmetto-like foliage, and decorative patterns surround the birds, creating a composition inspired by the natural environment of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Rather than creating imagery that could belong to any coastal city, Banks approached the mural as a visual introduction to Pascagoula.
The adjoining wall carries the message “Welcome to Downtown Pascagoula,” allowing the mural to function not only as artwork for Scranton's, but also as a colorful welcome for people exploring downtown.Inspired by the Mississippi Gulf Coast
The design centers around two large great blue herons, their long beaks crossing in front of a glowing coastal sun. Waves, water, palmetto-like foliage, and decorative patterns surround the birds, creating a composition inspired by the natural environment of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Rather than creating imagery that could belong to any coastal city, Banks approached the mural as a visual introduction to Pascagoula.
The adjoining wall carries the message “Welcome to Downtown Pascagoula,” allowing the mural to function not only as artwork for Scranton's, but also as a colorful welcome for people exploring downtown.
Painting a Pascagoula Landmark
The location itself adds another layer of local history to the project.
Scranton's occupies Pascagoula's former City Hall and Central Fire Station No. 1, constructed in 1924 and dedicated the following year. The historic building later became home to Scranton's Restaurant, which opened in 1982. The property is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places and contributes to the surrounding Scranton Historic District.
Even the restaurant's name preserves a piece of local history: present-day downtown Pascagoula was once the town of Scranton before the communities merged in the early twentieth century.
Adding the mural to this historic property brought a contemporary layer of public art to a building already closely connected to Pascagoula's story.
Public Art & Downtown Revitalization
The mural was created during a period of continued investment in downtown Pascagoula and its public spaces. Downtown had recently been designated the Scranton National Historic District, and murals had already become part of efforts to encourage residents and visitors to explore the area.
WLOX documented Banks painting the Scranton's mural and reported on the role murals were playing in downtown revitalization. Scranton's owner Richard Chenoweth noted that the new artwork was generating attention through Facebook and social media because of its strong visual presence.
The project demonstrates how a mural commissioned for an individual business can also contribute to the identity and experience of the surrounding downtown district.
A Mural Made for Downtown
The finished mural was designed to be highly visible, colorful, and approachable from the surrounding downtown area.
Its oversized wildlife, graphic shapes, coastal imagery, and welcome message create a natural photo opportunity while giving visitors another reason to walk through and explore downtown Pascagoula.
The mural has continued to appear in regional coverage of the city; Country Roads Magazine later featured Banks' Scranton's mural while highlighting Pascagoula as a Gulf Coast destination.
About Banks Compton
Banks Compton is an Alabama-based mural artist and RISD alumnus whose work combines storytelling, nature, local culture, and site-specific design.
His murals can be found throughout Alabama, Mississippi, and across the United States, with projects ranging from downtown public art and community landmarks to commercial, educational, and corporate murals.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Mural Projects
Banks creates custom murals for businesses, downtown districts, tourism destinations, cities, organizations, and communities throughout the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Alabama Gulf Coast, and the greater Southeast.