National Historic Landmark- New Orleans Cotton Exchange
The New Orleans Cotton Exchange was incorporated in 1871. The purpose of the organization was to help to standardize and make accessible information related to the cotton industry, thereby stabilizing the often erratic and chaotic speculative market pricing. At the time the Cotton Exchange opened, the port of New Orleans exported one-third of the entire cotton crop in America.
The original Cotton Exchange building was a lavish Second Empire style building designed by architect S.S. Labouisse and finished in 1883. The building unfortunately fell into disrepair and was deemed unfit for occupation in 1916.
Plans for a replacement building began immediately, but the onset of World War One and other economic concerns slowed the process. Eventually, owners settled on a less lavish building, opting for a more subtle Renaissance Palazzo style commercial structure.
The new building was opened in 1921 and served as the Cotton Exchange headquarters until the firm closed in 1964. Today, this National Historic Landmark serves New Orleans citizens as a downtown hotel.
