What Cheer Bank, Providence
“The What Cheer Bank was incorporated in May, 1853. with a capital of $100,000. It was located at No. 4 Union Building, and was open for business until 1866. Its capital increased until, by 1864, it reached $160,400. During- the term of its existence it president was Henry A. Hidden and its cashier Albert C. Greene.” — Richard M. Bayles, ed. History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I. New York: W. W. Preston, 1891.
For some background on the origin of this bank’s name, click here.
September 30, 1853 stock certificate showing that William J. Pearce of Providence was the owner of 20 shares of What Cheer stock @ $50 per share. Signed by Albert C. Greene, cashier.
The What Cheer Bank was located in this building on Westminster Street, adjacent to the Traders Bank and the Union Bank.
The What Cheer Bank’s building seen here prior to 1890. Today, this is the intersection of Memorial Boulevard and Westminster Street.
Looking toward downtown from College Hill, 1950. The What Cheer Bank’s former home is dwarfed by the Hospital Trust, Turk’s Head and Industrial Trust buildings that surround it. From Elmer S. Horton, A Market Street Memento. Providence: Citizens Bank, 1954. Courtesy of the Quahog Annex.
The site of the former What Cheer Bank today. Only the Merchants Bank building still stands.