EAST CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI 249 PHOTO COURTESY OF MAGNOLIA STATE BANK, BAY SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI; PHOTO IN MEMORY OF THOMAS E. BROWN BAY SPRINGS Named for a natural spring that flowed from the bottom of a bay tree, Bay Springs was a bustling town even before it was incorporated in 1904. The many natural springs surrounding the area are still used for baptisms and are reputed to have healing properties.