Commercial Bank and Banker's House facts for kids
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Commercial Bank and Banker's House
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Front of the Commercial Bank
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 Location in Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Location | 206 Main Street and 107 South Canal Street, Natchez, Mississippi |
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| Built | 1838 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 74002252 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 30, 1974 |
| Designated NHL | May 30, 1974 |
The Commercial Bank and Banker's House is a very special building in Natchez, Mississippi. It's unique because it was built to be both a bank and the home of the main banker. This amazing building was constructed in 1833.
It's a fantastic example of Greek Revival architecture, which is a style inspired by ancient Greek temples. Because of its historical importance and beautiful design, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1974. Today, the bank part of the building is empty, but the house part is still a private home. Both parts of the building feature beautiful carved limestone and very thick brick walls.
Contents
What Makes This Building Special?
The Commercial Bank and Banker's House is actually one large building that looks like two separate parts. It sits in downtown Natchez, shaped like an "L" around another building. The bank section faces Main Street, and the house section faces South Canal Street.
The Bank's Design
The bank part of the building is tall, with a grand front made of polished marble. Its side walls, and all the walls of the house, are made of brick covered in stucco. The bank's front looks like an ancient Greek temple. It has four tall Ionic columns that hold up a decorative top section and a triangular roof. Steps lead up to the main entrance.
The House's Design
The house part has five sections across its front. The main entrance is in the middle, covered by a simpler porch. This porch has two strong Doric columns supporting a detailed top section. Above this, there's a fancy wrought iron balcony railing. Inside the house, you can see some of the most impressive hand-carved door and window frames in the United States. It also has very tall baseboards and large doors, with big rooms for that time period.
A Look Back in Time
The Commercial Bank started in 1833, and this unique building was built soon after. It was designed to hold both the bank and the banker's home for safety reasons. Imagine living right where you work, especially if you're in charge of a bank!
Levin R. Marshall helped start the bank and was its president for many years. He lived at a large estate called Richmond, but it's believed he built this impressive house in town for himself and his family. An interesting detail is that the house has Italian marble fireplaces throughout, which was unusual because most homes at that time used wooden fireplaces in less public areas.
Over the years, the bank part of the building has been used for different things. In the 1970s, it was even a Christian Science center. As of 2025, it is empty. The house part is a private home. It used to be a girls' school and a boarding house for many years. There's even a story that the famous outlaw Jesse James once stayed there! The house was fully renovated in 2021 and 2022, making sure it stays beautiful for years to come.
Images for kids
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Historic plaque on front of bank, 206 Main Street
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Banker's House, 107 Canal Street, front, HABS photo 1972
See Also
