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AKA: Farmers and Merchants National Bank, Headquarters, Downtown, Los Angeles, CA
Structure Type: built works - commercial buildings - banks (buildings); built works - commercial buildings - corporate headquarters
Designers: Kysor, Ezra F., Architect (firm); Ezra Franklin Kysor (architect)
Dates: constructed 1882-1883
Building History
The Farmers and Merchants Bank began in 1871, when two existing banking operations merged, Hayward and Company (formed in 1868) and Hellman-Temple andCompany (also founded in 1868). Two leading figures in the previous banks, Governor John G. Downey (1827-1894) and Isaias W. Hellman(1842-1920), emerged to lead this early bank during its first years. Known for its conservative banking procedures, it managed to not become over-extended during periodic recessions, with Hellman guiding the company until 1920.
In 1882, the Los Angeles, California, City and County Directory, 1881-2, listed three banks operating in the city: the Farmers and Merchants Bank, headed by Isaias W. Hellman, the 1st National Bank, led by J.E. Hollenbeck, and the Los Angeles County Bank, owned by J.S. Slauson. (SeeLos Angeles, California, City and County Directory, 1881-2, [Los Angeles: Southern California Directory Company, 1881], p. 156.)
The Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Los Angeles moved to a new headquarters on Main Street near Commercial Street in the Fall of 1883. This building functioned as its headquarters until a new one was built in 1905.
PCAD id: 14677
