Central Business District in New Orleans in Orleans Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Whitney National Bank
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 11, 2018
1. Whitney National Bank Marker
Erected 1888
Sully and Toledano, Architects
The main office of this Bank,
organized November 5, 1883,
was located in this red granite building
from 1888 until its adjacent building
was erected in 1911.
The newer building was designed by
Clinton and Russell, Architects of
New York and Emile Weil, Architect of
New Orleans, and built by George Glover, Contractor.
Erected by Orleans Parish Landmark Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 29° 57.075′ N, 90° 4.154′ W. Marker was in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Orleans Parish. It was in the Central Business District. Marker was on Gravier Street west of Camp Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is a metal plaque, mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, just right of the main entrance doorway. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 619 Gravier Street, New Orleans LA 70130, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Bank of Louisiana in New Orleans (within shouting distance of this marker); Jefferson Highway
this page online
Also see . . .
1. In the late 1800s, the Gulf Coast and two new banks were booming.
South Mississippians looked to Hancock Bank to help manage prosperity created by agriculture, seafood, timber and tourism. Sixty miles to the west, New Orleans and Whitney Bank thrived in the wake of the World Cotton Expo. For over a hundred years, Hancock and Whitney grew with and because of the people and places of the Gulf South. As the banks expanded into new towns and cities, they quickly became trusted, reliable business and community partners. Many smaller regional banks became part of Hancock and Whitney over the years; and, in December 2010, Hancock and Whitney came together. (Submitted on June 5, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 11, 2018
2. Whitney National Bank Marker (1888 bank building; tall view; marker visible right of door)
2. Face of New Orleans: The history of the Whitney Bank clock.
In the days before atomic clocks and cellphones in every pocket, people needed reliable clocks by which to set their less-reliable wristwatches, which required periodic winding and often "lost" a minute or two here and there. So, as a public service -- and to project an image of precision, dependability and wealth -- it became common for banks to install ornate timepieces in front of their buildings. In 1926, New Orleans' Whitney National Bank -- which had been founded in 1883 -- debuted just such a clock, featuring a reproduction of the Westminster Abbey's master chimes in London, at its main office on St. Charles Avenue and, soon enough, at its eight branch locations. The Whitney clocks have been helping New Orleans keep time ever since. (Submitted on June 5, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 11, 2018
3. Whitney National Bank Marker (1888 bank building; wide view; marker visible right of door)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 11, 2018
4. Whitney National Bank (1911 bank building; corner view; 1/2 block east of marker)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 11, 2018
5. Whitney National Bank (1911 bank building; Gravier Street entrance; east of marker)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 11, 2018
6. Whitney National Bank (1911 bank building; street clock)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 11, 2018
7. Whitney National Bank (Poydras Street Branch - clock and beaux arts-style ornamentation)
Photographed By Laura Edwards, November 14, 2023
8. Whitney National Bank Marker is Missing
This photo shows the location to the right of the door where the marker used to be. It is no longer there.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,020 times since then and 171 times this year. Last updated on November 14, 2023, by Laura Edwards of Bethesda, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 5, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 7. submitted on June 9, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 8. submitted on November 14, 2023, by Laura Edwards of Bethesda, Maryland. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
