First National Bank Building - Florence

Completed in 1919, the First National Bank Building at the corner of Court and Mobile Streets was constructed as the new headquarters for the First National Bank after the institution outgrew its original home in the bliss building. The elegant Classical Revival structure reflected Florence’s rapid economic growth during the early twentieth century and quickly became one of the city’s most recognizable commercial landmarks.

For decades, the building stood at the center of downtown business, financing local industries, family farms, and new opportunities throughout the Shoals. As Florence continued to grow, the bank eventually expanded into the Structure located down the street and across from the local veteran’s hall, but the original building remained a symbol of the city’s prosperity and confidence in its future.

Today, the structure looks a little different. For years it was covered by granite slabs but has recently been nearly restored and the façade opened back up. It remains a defining feature of downtown Florence’s historic district. It serves as a reminder of an era when Court Street was the commercial heart of the city where business, community, and progress came together under one roof.