Designed for local attorney and businessman Frank Corker by the prominent Atlanta architect A. Ten Eyck Brown (1878-1940) and known as “Dublin’s Skyscraper”, the First National Bank Building was one of the tallest buildings ever built in rural Georgia. It served as a bank until the 1950s and then fell into disrepair, its future uncertain for many years. In 2014, thanks to a community effort led by a very active Downtown Development Authority and Mayor Phil Best, restoration began. Local contractors Garbutt Construction did a beautiful job. It now houses the Dublin campus of Georgia Military College, a bistro, and private office space, and is a great example of community involvement and the desire to not just save but make viable historic structures.
Dublin Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 
I have been by this building many times on my way through town, and always marveled at its design: tall but narrow, probably considered “very modern” when it was built. Also used to get a huge laugh at the old sign outside the Rexall Drug Store building a little further up the road, which must have been owned by a pharmacist name Dr. Strange, as the vertical lettering said “Strange” and the horizontal part said “Drugs.” What a wonderful sense of humor!
It’s one of my favorites. Several people who remembered that sign have contacted me over the years wondering about its fate. I wish I’d have been able to photograph it. Classic.
Always knew this as Morris Bank building. Remember it well as my dads dentist, Dr. Lee had a dental practice and actually made dentures in his little lab.
This is just one of numerous great restorations by the Garbutts! Great job!
I’m from further South in Georgia, but I visit Dublin quite often. This building has always been one of my favorites and I’m so glad that the city figured out a way to preserve and continue the use of it!
Me, too. I’m amazed by how busy downtown Dublin is.
I appreciate the history of and the saving of this great building.
As always, I admire your photographic work and the sharing thereof.
Thank you, Brian!
Thanks for your kind words, Sharon!
It could be restored and reused as a heritage building of some kind.
It was restored and is in use as a college campus. I think that is a wonderful use, as it brings more people to the downtown it’s anchoring. Very innovative!