The U.S. Custom House in New Orleans, Louisiana was built between the years 1848-1881. The architect was Alexander Thompson Wood. The four story U.S. Custom House occupies the full trapezoidal downtown city block bounded by Canal, North Peters, Iberville and Decatur Streets. The entire exterior of the building, with the exception of the cornice, is constructed of gray granite from Quincy, Massachusetts. The cornice is cast iron of a more elaborate style and character than the originally intended granite cornice. Exterior. Photo by Carol Highsmith.