Downtown Raleigh offers some great walking tours and historical buildings. One of the buildings that you'll want to take a look at is the State Bank of North Carolina.
This stately building was built in 1813, though some records state 1812 or 1833. The brick building with towering pillars is Raleigh's oldest surviving financial and commercial building.
The architectural style incorporates the transition from Federal to Greek Revival. This Raleigh historical building was commissioned and first used for the State Bank of North Carolina.
The first bank president lived in the building.
In another note of trivia - US President Andrew Johnson's father once worked here. Jacob Johnson worked as a porter for the Raleigh branch of the State Bank of North Carolina.
In 1873, the building was acquired by the nearby Christ Church for use as a rectory, but the building's banking career was not yet over.
In 1968, the North Carolina National Bank purchased the original State Bank of North Carolina building and moved it 100 feet southeast.
The North Carolina National Bank renovated the building, and used it as their downtown branch, bringing the building back to it's original purpose - though probably with some high-security additions!
In 1975 and 1976, this building was a center of historical activity, as it was used by the State Bicentennial Commission.
Today the building is again the home of a bank - it serves as a branch of the State Employees Credit Union, and is a registered Raleigh Historic Landmark.
The State Bank of North Carolina is stop #25 on the Downtown Raleigh Walking Tour that highlights more than 60 sights to see in downtown Raleigh. Stop #1 is the Raleigh State Capital. Grab your walking shoes, or hop on a Raleigh Rickshaw, and get your tour started!
The building is located at 123 New Bern Avenue, and is open during bank hours.
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Penny, good post. Thanks for reminding us that downtown Raleigh has some great sites.