Louis Bank of Commerce

Historic Building 32

Louis Bank of Commerce, 1888

Punctuated by twin rising towers, San Diego’s first granite building is an excellent example of Baroque Revival architecture.  The four-story structure housed the Bank of Commerce until 1893, when entrepreneur Isidor Louis opened an oyster bar which became a favorite of Wyatt Earp.  The upper floors later became known as the Golden Poppy hotel, a notorious brothel run by fortune-teller Madame Cora.  Her ladies wore dresses colored to match the doors of their rooms.

Submitted by Bryan Arnold (@nanowhiskers)