Bank of Alexandria

Here follows an excerpt from the Clio Foundation website about the Bank of Alexandria building as written by Zack Rakes:

Introduction:
The Bank of Alexandria is a historic bank in Virginia’s city of Alexandria. Built in 1807, it is noted that it was possibly Alexandria’s most expensive building at the time of its construction. In the 1840s, it was converted for use as the Mansion House Hotel. On April 17th, 1973, it was designated on the Virginia Landmark Register, and on June 4th, 1973, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Backstory and Context:
On November 23rd, 1792, an Act of the Virginia Assembly established the Bank of Alexandria. The bank did not have a building of its own as of the time of its establishment, and as a result, it initially inhabited a building at 305 Cameron Street in Alexandria. At the time, a bank building was being planned for construction, and plans were finally drawn up for a building that would ultimately cost $50,000, making it the most expensive building in Alexandria at the time of its eventual construction. After extensive planning and design, it was finally built in 1807. Following the construction of the bank, one of the bank’s founders, William Herbert, served as the president of the bank for twenty years, and also went on to serve as the mayor of Alexandria from 1809 until 1812.

Almost immediately after the bank’s opening, it sold all of its shares within a span of two hours. The bank would go on to be successful for a time, but in the 1834, the bank failed and transferred its holdings to the United States Government. Following the closure of the bank, a revival of the building as a bank was not attempted, and instead, in the 1840s, it was converted into a hotel, for use as the Mansion House Hotel. On April 17th, 1973, it was designated on the Virginia Landmark Register, and on June 4th, 1973, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.


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Here follows an excerpt from the "Jaybird's Jottings" blog written by Jay Roberts:

Bank of Alexandria
131 N. Fairfax

The Virginia Assembly established the Bank of Alexandria in 1792, the first bank in the state. Built in the Federal style, it is one of the oldest commercial structures in the city. According to Smith and Miller, the building “may be the second oldest structure in the United States erected specifically as a bank building.”

Located next to the Carlyle House, the red-bricked, three-story building has seen several uses through the years, and has returned to its roots, housing a financial firm. At least that’s what the sign says.

Note: I forgot to list the address of Carlyle House. It is 121 North Fairfax.