Brewton in Escambia County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Bank of Brewton
Photographed By David J Gaines, August 9, 2010
1. Bank of Brewton Marker - Side A
Recognized as “Alabama’s Oldest Bank,” the Bank of Brewton opened for business on Monday, January 7, 1899. Brewton, Alabama was a prosperous town in the late 1800s. A local resident, Charles Sowell, participated in the flourishing times. A native of Monroe County, Alabama and a wounded veteran of the Civil War, Sowell settled in Brewton. After a brief stint as a railroad station agent, he began a timber industry that produced a sizeable fortune. In 1880 Sowell commented, “If I take all my gold and silver and put it on a wagon, two mules could not pull it. We need a bank.” Sowell started organizing the bank that would be the first bank in Escambia County, Alabama and the first bank between Mobile and Montgomery.
The Bank of Brewton was initially a private bank in 1889, but received a state charter in 1891. Its original location was a few doors from this spot. In 1912 the bank moved into a building at this site, acquired an adjacent building known as the Lovelace Hotel in 1957 and constructed a new building in its place in 1964. The bank of Brewton had only 11 presidents in the first 119 years of its existence. The quality of labor of its early leaders and the support of local citizens is what has established the historic value of the institution.
Erected 2010 by Alabama Tourism
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is January 7, 1899.
Location. 31° 6.288′ N, 87° 4.305′ W. Marker is in Brewton, Alabama, in Escambia County. Marker is at the intersection of Belleville Avenue and St Joseph Avenue (U.S. 31), on the right when traveling south on Belleville Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 103 Belleville Ave, Brewton AL 36426, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hart Station (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Robbins & McGowin Building (about 500 feet away); Escambia County Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away); Ritz Theatre (about 600 feet away); The Leigh Place (approx. 0.2 miles away); Burnt Corn Park Cistern (approx. 0.2 miles away); Second Saint Siloam Missionary Baptist Church (approx. half a mile away); Union Cemetery (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brewton.
More about this marker. The marker was originally located in front of the historical entrance to the bank. That entrance is no longer used. The current entrance is on Belleville Ave.
Photographed By David J Gaines, August 9, 2010
2. Bank of Brewton Marker - Side B
Photographed By David J Gaines, August 9, 2010
3. Bank of Brewton Marker (original location)
Photographed By Tom Bosse, July 31, 2017
4. Bank of Brewton Marker (new location)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2010, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,210 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on January 10, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 16, 2010, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. 4. submitted on October 24, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
