Farmers' and Exchange Bank
United States historic place in Charleston, South Carolina. Built 1853. Added to the National Register in 1973, and a National Historic Landmark.
What it is
The Farmers' and Exchange Bank is a historic commercial building in Charleston, South Carolina. Built in 1853–54, it is an architecturally distinctive building, with Moorish Revival features rarely seen in the United States. The building is recognizable for its use of muqarnas—characteristic of Persian and North African architecture—as well as its large arched windows and striking red sandstone facade. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1973.
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
The record
| Property type | Building |
| Address | 141 E. Bay St., Charleston, SC |
| County | Charleston County |
| Listed | Nov 7, 1973 |
| Listed for | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Reference number | 73001685 |
| Built | 1853 · more from the 1850s |
| Type of place | bank |
| Style | Moorish Revival architecture |
| Designations | National Historic Landmark |
| Contributing resources | 1 building |
The nomination form, the document that argues why this place matters, is in the National Archives: Read the nomination ↗
Visiting
| Address | 141 E. Bay St., Charleston, SC |
| Coordinates | 32.7777° N, 79.9270° W · Directions ↗ |
| Also in Charleston | 111 listed places in Charleston → · walking tours → |
| Nearest national park unit | Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park · 4 miles · on Park Atlas |
| Federal campgrounds nearby | Buck Hall Recreation Area 28 miles |
Explore
Drawings & photographs
Measured drawings and photographs from the Library of Congress. Public domain. All 3 records ↗
Map
Nearby in Charleston County
Local history books for Charleston
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
The Huguenot Church in CharlestonMargaret Middleton Rivers Eastman and Richard Donohoe & Maurice Eugenie Horne Thompson, 2018Find at Bookshop.org
St. Philip's Church of CharlestonDorothy Middleton Anderson and Margaret Middleton Rivers Eastman, 2015Find at Bookshop.org
Guidebooks to historic places in South Carolina
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
When was Farmers' and Exchange Bank listed on the National Register?
Nov 7, 1973. It is also a National Historic Landmark, the higher of the two designations.
Source: National Park Service
When was Farmers' and Exchange Bank built?
1853, in the Moorish Revival architecture style.
Source: Wikidata
Where is Farmers' and Exchange Bank?
141 E. Bay St., Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina. The nearest national park unit is Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, 4 miles away.
Source: Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park
Are there historic photographs or drawings of Farmers' and Exchange Bank?
Yes. The Historic American Buildings Survey at the Library of Congress has drawings or photographs of it.
Source: Library of Congress
Where is the nomination form for Farmers' and Exchange Bank?
The National Archives holds the nomination form, the document that made the case for listing.
Source: National Archives
Are there campgrounds near Farmers' and Exchange Bank?
One federal campground is within reach, Buck Hall Recreation Area, 28 miles away.
Source: Campsite Atlas
Is there cell service at Farmers' and Exchange Bank?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the listed point. Coverage indoors and behind old masonry is another matter.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
Is there a wildfire near Farmers' and Exchange Bank right now?
1 active incident within 50 miles as of 2026-10-17, nearest C-74 Fm Rx, 30 miles away.
Source: Map
Sources
Location, type and contributing counts come from the National Park Service's National Register spatial data. Listing dates come from the National Register office's spreadsheet where it carries the listing. Construction date, architect, style, photograph and encyclopedia link come from Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons, matched on reference number 73001685. Nothing here is transcribed by hand. The nomination form and photographs ↗ at NPGallery are the original nomination as filed with the National Park Service, and the form is often the best description of the place. The description under "What it is" is the opening of the Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA. Drawings and photographs are Historic American Buildings Survey records at the Library of Congress, public domain.