This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 25 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Norfolk Virginian
Location
Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America
Date
Jul 14, 1897
Page
6
Norfolk bank announces combined loaning capacity reaching 6 million dollars as part of a major expansion plan. The move strengthens local finance with increased lending to businesses and individuals seeking capital.
Norfolk and Portsmouth banking institutions number thirteen with five national and eleven state banks plus four savings deposit holders. Combined capital supports extensive lending with $6,000,000 loaning capacity and deposits rising despite economic downturns. Five-year average clearings exceed $40,000,000 annually with yearly bank balances around $7,000,000 to $8,000,000. First six months of the year show nearly $23,000,000 in clearings and about $3,500,000 in bank balances. Bank owners and directors are prominent local figures committed to regional development and public-private advancement.
The Marine Bank of Norfolk, founded in 1372, occupies a granite corner building at Bank and Mall streets. President Walter H. Taylor heads a conservative staff with directors Reid Lovall Giwathmey Bortim Washington Taylor Davis Miable Taylor. The bank reports $110,000 capital and surplus, just over $600,000 in deposits, and strong regional ties. Colonel Taylor, veteran of Lee’s staff, has led the bank since 1877 and guided Norfolk’s financial growth.
The Citizens Bank, founded May 1867 with 50000 capital, grew to 100000 by 1885 and 300000 by 1891, with assets of 1.6 million, deposits 1.225 million, loans 1.2 million. It lists early leaders Richd Taylor and W. W. Chamberlaine and notes strong earnings, management, and local prominence in the South banking scene.
The Exchange National Bank announces a new directorate and officers led by President William H. Peters and Vice President J. W. Petty. Walter H. Doyle remains cashier after thirty years in banking, with a strong board including J. N. Williams, G. Reid, and R. H. Baker among others. The bank operates a large election and exchange business with correspondents in New York Philadelphia Baltimore Boston and Washington.
City National Bank, founded 1892, has thrived through market downturns with cash dividends of 45000 and a 19000 surplus. It reports rising deposits, a 200000 capital stock, and a sturdy Main Street building housing large vaults. President A M Krise, cashier B W Leach, and a diverse board lead its conservative, modern banking approach.
The Norfolk National Bank announces capital of 400 000 and surplus of 216 000 with deposits totaling 2 000 000. Officers include J C Womble as president, W Cranvdy as vice president, Caldwell Tory as cashier, and A L Schwarzkopf as assistant cashier. Directors feature W Grandy, T Davis, W Rountree, and others listed among prominent local figures.
The Bank of Commerce, founded 1878 with 50 000 capital, now stock value over 100 000, deposits 500 000, surplus and profits around 1 000 000, and 6 percent annual dividend. Rooms equipped with Mosler lock and vaults for valuables, conducts general banking with prompt collections. Directors include J N Barry and A G Pollard. president N Beaman, vice president K J Elliott, native of Murfreesboro, NC, who joined in 1891 after leaving Brinkley Beaman. The bank holds high local business confidence and counts major city institutions among depositors.
The Bank of Portsmouth, oldest in Portsmouth and Norfolk, was organized February 1867. It lists authorized capital of 200000 with 100000 paid-up capital and 40000 surplus. President Leigh R Watts and cashier J L Billsaly head a board including T Scott and others. Correspondents span New York to San Francisco. Watts is a leading Virginia attorney and Seaboard Air Line general counsel. Billsaly joined the bank in 1883 and became cashier in 1889.
Norfolk celebrates a modern telephone system by the Southern States Telephone Company with exchanges in Norfolk Portsmouth Beckley and Suffolk answering over 20 000 calls daily with minimal delays. The equipment features metallic circuits long distance instruments and independent connections at half the former cost and the local exchange is run by an experienced management team including Wink Starke Axtell Fink Starke Pannill.
Norfolk’s New Atlantic hotel stands as a premier Southern hostelry with 1000-capacity rooms and a lavish table. Located near harbor, rail depots, and steamship landings, it features steam heat electric lights and modern conveniences. Manager Roal Dodson and his brothers oversee attentive service for travelers in the heart of the city.
Hygeia hotel at Old Point Comfort boasts a long frontage near the water, cooling sea breezes, and open air verandas. It claims the finest bathing beach on the coast with surf bathing facilities, well ventilated sleeping rooms, and summer comfort, under lessee Mr. F. N. Pike and manager A. C. Pike.
The Madison Hotel in Portsmouth offers a four story brick building with 150 guest rooms on High and Crawford streets near the S L depot and ferries. It features a first floor office bar billiard rooms barber shop and toilets while upper floors hold drawing rooms ladies parlors bridal chamber and suites with baths. Steam heat electric lighting call-bell system and modern furniture with velvet carpeting create a refined travel lodging. Rates run from 2 to 3 dollars per day serving army navy officers tourists and business travelers under proprietor Geo W Leigh who opened the house in December 18.
Virginia Dairy Lunch founder MacDonald, born 1867 in Canada, opened his first Norfolk lunch room in 1894 after a career in dairy luncheons across major cities. The Virginia Dairy Lunch Rooms offer hot milk, fresh pies and sandwiches served by experienced staff in a steady, early morning operation.
W J Davis operates the Davis model livery and boarding stable at No 607 Middle Street Portsmouth. Established 1880s, the two story modern building fronts foot by 200 feet with ground floor offices stalls for 100 horses and a bicycle room. The second floor stores vehicles and hosts a ladies parlor and waiting room for patrons with lounges washrooms and mirrors. The stock includes first class roadsters and drivers with fine Hampden coaches and phaetons, rivaling Southern offerings.
The Watt, Retlew & Clay dry goods wholesale and retail house in Norfolk, established in 1886, grew from a 25 by 80 foot space to 50 by 120 with an annex and subsequent major expansion. They later occupied a corner Main and Pubaoy streets building with extensive floors for showrooms, dress goods, muslin underwear, gloves, and offices, reflecting rapid growth and metropolitan-scale operations.
A detailed account of the Norfolk Company’s development of the Ghent district in the West End, describing land division from Paradise Creek, construction of a stone bridge, and the creation of top class municipal improvements. It notes capital plans, street paving, water and sewer mains, and the erection of substantial residences with landscaped grounds, establishing Ghent as the city’s premier residential area.
A fragmented industry note describes The Ghent Company forming from The Norfolk Company on January 1 1896. It outlines merged assets in Norfolk and Sixth Ward, adjacent electric streetcar access, and rising property values. Officers and directors are listed for both Norfolk and Ghent companies, highlighting cross city operations.
The article profiles Andre Mottu and associates, noting his Norfolk base and ties to London brokers. It describes his investment activity in Norfolk, including brokerage, brokerage houses, and roles with the Real Estate Exchange and Chamber of Commerce, with references to prior work in South Africa and connections to insurance and banking entities.
A W Cornick a prominent real estate dealer promotes the Mast Trambleton Division of 600 lots in the Fifth Ward adjoining Prambleton. Prices range 86 to 125 per lot with easy terms including 2.00 cash and weekly payments. The subdivision features improved sidewalks, no taxes until paid, and ongoing construction of residences. Investors urged to buy now before price rises. Cornick offices on Main Street.
The Norfolk branch of Barber & Co. reports success since 1886 under manager I. J. Rudyard Wigg, who took charge in 1892. The firm runs regular steamship lines from New York to London and various European ports and holds agentships for Union-Clan line ships to South Africa and direct services to China and Japan.
Vaughen and Barnes cotton merchants on Newton Street claim long-standing operation since 872, serving as load receivers of cotton at this port. J. Ono Vag Yun, managing partner and Cotton Exchange founder, represents a firm with Norfolk Bank connections and railway access. The company handles cotton storage, cash sales, and cargo consignments, with substantial warehouse capacity and steamer railfront access.
Savage Son and Co of Norfolk stands as a premier cotton and peanut firm with ample resources and a riverside warehouse connected to rail lines. Founded by Col Alexander Savage and M Jones, the business handles large seasonal shipments from North and South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia and also deals in plaster, lime, and farm supplies.
The firm Geo L Arps Co established in 1860s Norfolk in 1884 as Geo Li Arps & Co. It is a leading cotton commission house and proprietor of Premium Guano fertilizer. The business spans Virginia and North Carolina with growing annual trade and strong reputations for the Premium brand.
Dickson and Johnson emerged as proprietors in 1884 of the Norfolk Knitting and Cotton Manufacturing Company plant erected in 1880. The twoacre site features a two story main building with wing, a commodious warehouse, dwelling houses, stables, and water facilities, reflecting early industrial expansion and shipping advantages that spurred local enterprise.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.