Farmers and Merchants Union Bank (Columbus, Wisconsin)
| Company type | Bank |
|---|---|
| Industry | Banking |
| Founded | 1919 |
| Headquarters | Columbus, Wisconsin , United States |
| Products | Banking services |
The Farmers and Merchants Union Bank stands as a notable historic commercial structure situated at 159 West James Street in Columbus, Wisconsin. Constructed in 1919, it is recognized as the final completed example among eight "jewel box" banks designed by Louis Sullivan, and ranks second to last in the order of their construction. This building earned designation as a National Historic Landmark in 1976 due to its architectural importance.
Description and history
Positioned at the intersection of West James Street and South Dickason Boulevard in the city's downtown area, the bank is a prominent single-story edifice featuring a tapestry brick facade enhanced with marble and terra cotta detailing. The primary frontage displays two bays, with the entrance located on the right side, crowned by an intricately carved marble lintel and a semicircular stained glass window encircled by a stone garland. Along South Dickason Boulevard, there is a series of five windows forming a continuous band. The interior is designed to be both compact and open, with teller counters arranged along the left wall.
This structure was conceived and directly overseen by Sullivan in 1919, representing his last "jewel box" bank project aimed at smaller Midwestern towns. It is one of only two works by Sullivan found in Wisconsin; the other is the Harold C. Bradley House, which also holds National Historic Landmark status. The architectural details of this bank are documented in Sullivan's 1924 work A System of Architectural Ornament, published shortly before his passing.
See also
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Wisconsin
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Columbia County, Wisconsin
Additional Louis Sullivan "jewel box" banks include:
- Henry Adams Building, Algona, Iowa (1913)
- Home Building Association Company, Newark, Ohio (1914)
- Merchants' National Bank, Grinnell, Iowa (1914)
- National Farmer's Bank, Owatonna, Minnesota (1908)
- People's Federal Savings and Loan Association, Sidney, Ohio (1918)
- Peoples Savings Bank, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (1912)
- Purdue State Bank, West Lafayette, Indiana (1914)