Citizens and Southern Bank

Neighborhood:Center City

Address:
1849 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19146

Significance:
Citizens and Southern Bank and Trust Company was established by African American R.R. Wright, Sr., in 1921 at this location. During the 1920s, the bank helped launch dozens of small businesses in African American neighborhoods at a time when most white banks refused to lend to African American applicants. Citizens and Southern survived the Great Depression, and later opened branch offices at 19th and Chestnut Streets and at 55th Street and Chester Avenue. To learn more, visit http://explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1054

Type of Historic Resource:bank

Extant: no

Historical Marker:PA Historical Marker (1991; 19th and South Sts.)

Text of Historical Marker:
Founded in 1921 by R.R. Wright, Sr., who was born of slave parents, this bank was noted for serving the financial needs of Black customers. It survived the Great Depression and later established offices throughout the city.