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Farmers' and Exchange Bank

Introduction

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The Farmers' and Exchange Bank is considered one of the country's finest examples of Moorish Revival architecture and the only building the Charleston designed in this style. The bank's directors chose this style to distinguish it from other bank buildings in the city that were traditional and conservative in appearance. Given its striking appearance, the bank, which was erected in 1854, was both designated a National Historic Landmark and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

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A National Historic Landmark, the Farmers' and Exchange Bank is one of the country's best examples of Moorish Revival architecture. It is the only building in the city designed in this style.

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Backstory and Context

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Charleston architects Edward C. Jones and Francis D. Lee designed the bank, which features many elements typically found in Moorish architecture in Spain. These include a facade featuring various shades of Connecticut and Jersey brownstone that create stripes, a cornice comprised of honeycomb vaulting, and rounded horseshoe arches on both floors. The arches on the first floor contain circular windows and are located above carved doors. The arches on the second floor feature a scalloped edge. Inside, the banking room is equally elaborate, featuring arcaded walls, decorative plasterwork, and a coffered ceiling.

Interestingly, it is believed that the illustrations in Washington Irving's book Tales of the Alhambra inspired Jones and Lee to design the bank in the Moorish Revival style. There were plans to tear down the building to make way for a parking lot but in 1970 the bank was bought and restored. It was converted into a restaurant in the 1990s. Its status as of 2021 is unclear.

Sources

"Farmers' and Exchange Bank." National Park Service. Accessed April 19, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/places/farmers-and-exchange-bank.htm.

"Farmers' and Exchange Bank." South Carolina Encyclopedia. Accessed April 19, 2021. https://www.scencyclopedia.org/sce/entries/farmers%c2%92-and-exchange-bank.

"Farmers' and Exchange Bank, Charleston County (14 E. Bay St., Charleston)." South Carolina Department of Archives and History.

Stephenson, Tray & Kearse, Bernard. "Farmers' and Exchange Bank." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. November 7, 1973. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NHLS/73001685_text.

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Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Farmers%27_and_Exchange_Bank,_April_2014.jpg

Additional Information