Mobile in Mobile County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Merchants National Bank Building

Historical Marker

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 26, 2015

1. Merchants National Bank Building Marker

Inscription. The incorporation of The Merchants Bank of Mobile was authorized April 13, 1901 with offices at 56 St. Francis Street. On July 1, 1927, Merchants became a national bank and occupied this eighteen story building which was dedicated October 11, 1929. Merchants National merged with First Alabama Bancshares, Inc. on October 29, 1981. The name Merchants National Bank of Mobile was changed to First Alabama Bank on July 1, 1985.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is April 13, 1901.

Location. 30° 41.582′ N, 88° 2.527′ W. Marker is in Mobile, Alabama, in Mobile County. It is at the intersection of St Francis Street and St Joseph Street, in the median on St Francis Street. Plaque mounted on outside wall of bank. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 56 St Joseph Street, Mobile AL 36602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Alabama’s Gulf Coast

and in Mobile Bay.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in 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 Viceroyalty of New France,

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: John Forbes & Co. (within shouting distance of this marker); Bienville Square (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Joe Cain (about 300 feet away); Site of Sixth Mobile Theatre (about 400 feet away); In Memory of the Battle of Mobile Bay (about

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400 feet away); Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville (about 400 feet away); The Salvation Army in Mobile (about 400 feet away); Mobile City Limits (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mobile.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Joe Cain (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . Wikipedia artcle about bank. (Submitted on July 29, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Merchants National Bank Building (Now Regions Bank) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 26, 2015

2. Merchants National Bank Building (Now Regions Bank)

Merchants National Bank Building with marker on left of bank. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 26, 2015

3. Merchants National Bank Building with marker on left of bank.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,812 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 9, 2025, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 2, 3. submitted on July 29, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.