McNab Bank Building
a.k.a. Lewis Agency
Broad St., Eufaula, ALThis beautiful iron-front building is one of the oldest standing bank buildings in Alabama. During most of its early history, Alabama had a state monopoly on banking. In the 1840's this system began to come into disfavor and a free bank law was passed in 1850. This law provided for one free bank to be chartered at each session of the legislature.
These banks provided a circulation medium for the trade and funds needed for the state when other money was not available. The Eastern Bank of Alabama was one of these early free banks. It was chartered in the session of 1858, to provide circulation for South East Alabama.
The building was built on lot 4, block A, Robin Hood plan of Irwintown. In 1836 this lot was owned by Samuel Cowan, a physician who fought in the Indian Wars.
The building was built by John McNab for his Eastern Bank of Alabama. There has been controversy over the actual date of construction. Dr. Peter Brannon, who was Director of Archives and History, gives the date as 1853 to 1869 Brannon thought the later date probably correct.
John McNab was a Scots banker, who settled in Eufaula when the town was still named Irwintown. He became the most opulent citizen of the old Bluff City. Born on the Isle of Islay, off the coast of Scotland became the most picturesque figure of his day; banker, churchman intendant of the town, and played so conspicuous a role in the financial history that legend of him reached abroad.
The Eastern Bank of Alabama operated under this name until some time after 1864. No exact date has been found for the name change, but it was changed to the John McNab Bank and was operated as such until 1891.
Offices in the back part of the building opening on Randolph Street were occupied for many years by Chauncey Sparks; legislator, circuit judge, and Governor of Alabama from 1934 to 1947.
The bank was restored in 1965 by Mr. T. J. Lewis, Jr., and T. J. Lewis, hiring restoration one wall was found stuffed with $20 bank notes of the Old Eastern Bank. The original sign on which the old name was painted was found and placed in a museum.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.