Louis Bank of Commerce
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
Closer look the building's two towers
Historic plaque found on the building
Entranceway when it was Wyatt Earp's Historic Gambling Hall and Saloon
The Louis Bank of Commerce around 2012
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
"This building is San Diego’s first granite building that was pre-built on the east coast and sent around Cape Horn to San Diego.
This is the great example of Baroque Revival Architecture. The four story building housed the Bank of Commerce till 1893 when Isidor Louis opened an oyster bar that became a favorite of Wyatt Earp.
The upper floors later became the Golden Poppy Hotel, a notorious brothel run by fortune teller and early marketing genius, Madame Cora. Her ladies would parade through the streets by day and hand colored marbles that matched the color of their dresses to potential clients. At night, the 'gentlemen' would bring their colored marble and be directed to a room of the same color to meet their colorful 'lady.'"
While living in and utilizing the oyster bar, Earp is said to have won a horse as one his many winnings at the gambling tables found within the bar.