Bank of Louisiana

Bank of Louisiana. Erected 1826. Built by Bickle, Hamlet and Fox; the iron fence and gates were made by Sterling and Co. of New York. In 1840 the building was damaged by fire and repairs were made; another fire occurred in 1861 after which the structure was again restored and the Royal Street entrance, added from the plans of James Gallier, Jr., architect., The bank was liquidated in 1867 and for a short time the building was used as the conveyance office. In 1868-1869 it served as the state capitol for Louisiana. In 1870 it was occupied by the Royal Street Auctioneers Exchange. Between 1871 and 1873 the building was used as a concert-hall-beer-saloon, when the city refused permission to continue the saloon operation, the building was remodeled for the use of the Superior Criminal Court., The court was abolished in 1877 and from 1879 until 1908 the building served as the Office of the Recorder of Mortgages and Conveyances. In 1912 it served briefly as the Juvenile Court., In 1921 it was occupied by the American Legion and from 1926 to 1971 it served as the social hall for Crescent City Post 125., During the early 1920’s part of the building was also occupied by the United State’s Shipping Board Sea Service Bureau., A third fire damaged the building in 1931., In 1971 the exterior of the building was restored and the interior remodeled for the use of the Greater New Orleans Tourist and Convention Commission., Plaque dedicated 1976 on the sesquicentennial anniversary of the erection of the building.