Galveston’s City National Bank Building: A piece of W.L. Moody’s big dream
After graduating from Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, studying law for a short time at The University of Texas and seeking more education in Germany with brother Frank, W.L. Moody Jr., returned to Galveston and convinced his father — William Lewis Moody — to open a private bank, which he did, in 1889. The name was W.L. Moody and Company.
After founding American National Insurance Company in 1905, young Moody founded City National Bank — receiving its charter from the Controller of Currency in 1907. Operating in leased space in the Trust Building (2228 E. Avenue E), Moody served as president of City National Bank until his death in 1954. The year before, the bank’s The 1920 City National Bank Building was part of the 2017 Galveston Historical District’s annual historic homes tour. name was changed to Moody National Bank as a tribute to this visionary Galvestonian.
Following its charter and during the next two decades, plans were underway to build an architectural showplace in downtown Galveston, a bank that featured the latest in banking services and and unsurpassed banking convenience as well as a building befitting of Moody Jr’s. vision.
Designed by Chicago Banking Architects Weary & Alford, the bank’s amenities and other details were reported by The Galveston Daily News on Page 1 in the May 7, 1919 edition:
“The contract for the building to be occupied by the City National Bank — the construction of which will begin almost immediately, was let yesterday — according to Vice-president W. L. Moody III. The new building will cost approximately $150,000, and the first floor will be occupied entirely by the City National Bank.”
“It will be erected at 2221-23 Market Street, the present site of the bank. The new building will extend 120 feet to the alley rather than terminating at the halfway mark. The floor level of the new building will be fixed at a grade of 16 feet above mean low tide, which will place it well above the high-water mark on the island. The present elevation of Market street is 6.5 feet.
“The contract was let to M. C. Bowden, general contractor, and construction work will start immediately.
“The building will be one of the most modern and elegant in the entire South,” Mr. Moody said, “and will have a much larger floor space than our present quarters. Our business is expanding rapidly and the building must be made to conform to our needs.”
With the devastation of 1900 hurricane still on Moody’s mind, the new bank conformed with the City of Galveston’s new regulations. From the sidewalk there were three steps leading to the first landing or level. Another series of steps led into a portico.
Inside the building, fixtures were of bronze and marble, the marble finish extending to 20 feet above floor level. An arched ceiling reached skyward, approximately 30 feet above the floor. A mezza
nine floor at both ends of the building was included in the architect’s plan.
Until construction was completed, the bank moved into temporary quarters on Tremont Street between Avenues C and D, immediately across the street from the Red Cross canteen.
Banking operations began in the new building later in 1920 and continued until
1962, when a new building for Moody National Bank was built about one block from the original location.
From 1976 to 2008, the building — given to the Galveston Historical Foundation — was used as a museum and headquarters for the Foundation. However, when Hurricane Ike struck Galveston on Sept. 13, 2008, the building was seriously damaged (to that time, Ike had been the costliest storm, causing $29.5 billion in damage), forcing the Historical Foundation to relocate to the County Courthouse.