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130 DeSiard Street Suite 800 Monroe, LA 71201 (318)324-0001 |
The Vantage ONB Tower was built in 1921 and served as the home of Ouachita National Bank for seventy years. The Bank opened as Ouachita National Bank Of Monroe, closed down during the depression for one day, and reopened as the Ouachita National Bank In Monroe.
One of the original tenants from 1921, Monroe's only city club is still located in the building. Through the years, the Tower has been home to the offices of Monroe's most prestigious business men including Congressman Otto Passman, Mayor Melvin Rambin, architect King Stubbs, Murray Hudson, John Mullens, Judge Paul Fink, R. L. Vanderpool, George Rorex, Ed Stinson, Carl Walker, Bob Downing, Harry Addison, George Moses, and many other prominent business leaders.
During the twenties and thirties the city club housed in the Tower was a casino, open twenty-four hours a day, and it was frequented by many important people including Governor Huey P. Long. During poker games famous at the time, deeds to plantations sometimes changed hands. Recently an old casino safe was discovered in the basement, and was determined to date back to the 1800s.
The Tower was 95% occupied until 1998, when the then owner Bank One sold the Tower to a private individual. During this short period of time, the Tower served in part as the Ouachita Parish Courthouse while the old Courthouse was being renovated.
Since the Tower is twelve stories tall, it is classified as a skyscraper and is the only high rise building in Northeast Louisiana to hold this title. The building materials that comprise the Tower include rare Japanese Teakwood walls and doors, walnut paneling, elaborate exterior sandstone ornamentation, Italian marble, rare gum tree doors, and concrete and masonry walls varying from sixteen to twenty two inches thick. The Tower has been continuously upgraded throughout the years, including the most recent renovations by Vantage Health Plan, the current owner.