Capitol Hill in Tallahassee in Leon County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Union Bank of Florida

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, April 6, 2014

1. The Union Bank of Florida Marker

Inscription. Completed in 1841, the Union Bank is Florida's oldest surviving bank building. The business was chartered in 1833 as a planters' bank from which plantation owners could borrow against their land and slave holdings. The bank operated in a private house called "The Columns" until 1841. With John Gamble as its first and only president, it served as Florida's major territorial bank. The bank failed in 1843 because of crop failures, the Second Seminole War, and unsound banking practices.

After remaining unused for nearly 25 years, the building reopened in 1868 as the National Freedman's Savings and Trust Company, serving emancipated slaves and refugees. Starting in 1874, the building functioned in a variety of ways---as a church, shoe factory, beauty shop, and dance studio.

Originally located near the southwest corner of Adams Street and Park Avenue, the structure was moved to this site in 1971. The Union Bank building was restored and opened to the public as a museum in 1984.

Erected 1998 by Florida Heritage Landmark sponsored by the Union Bank Restoration Committee and The Museum of Florida History. (Marker Number F-391.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1841.

Location.

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30° 26.284′ N, 84° 16.796′ W. Marker is in Tallahassee, Florida, in Leon County. It is in Capitol Hill. It is at the intersection of Apalachee Parkway and S. Calhoun Street on Apalachee Parkway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tallahassee FL 32301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Florida.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Elliot Building and Capitol Center Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Florida’s Vietnam Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); POW/MIA Bracelet History (about 300 feet away); Leon County Civil War Monument (about 300 feet away); Capt. John Parkhill (about 300 feet away); Leon County World War II Memorial (about 400 feet away); Old Capitol of Florida (about 400 feet away); Combat Wounded Veterans (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tallahassee.

Other markers no longer nearby. Capitol of Florida (was about 300 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Selection of Florida's Capital (was about 300 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

The Union Bank of Florida image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, April 6, 2014

2. The Union Bank of Florida

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, April 6, 2014

3. The Union Bank of Florida

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2014, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 860 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 17, 2014, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.