First National Bank Building (Davenport, Iowa)

First National Bank

Company type	Bank
Industry	Banking and finance
Founded	1863
Founder	Austin Corbin
Headquarters	Davenport, Iowa , United States
Products	Banking services

The First National Bank Building is a notable historic edifice located in downtown Davenport, Iowa. It was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. In 2020, the building was designated as a contributing property within the Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District. Today, it is commonly referred to as the US Bank Building, reflecting the name of its principal occupant.

History

After the passage of the 1863 National Banking and Currency Act, First National Bank in Davenport distinguished itself as the first U.S. bank to commence operations under this legislation. Under the leadership of Austin Corbin, formerly associated with Macklot and Corbin, the institution processed the inaugural check ($12.60) cleared through the new banking system. The bank faced financial difficulties during the 1870s but was successfully re-chartered in 1882. In the 1920s, First National merged with Iowa National Bank while preserving its original name. Following the Bank Holiday of 1933, control of First National passed to Union Savings Bank and Trust. Although the main banking hall remained unoccupied for many years, the upper stories accommodated various professionals such as dentists, physicians, lawyers, and insurance agents. Retail businesses operated on the ground floor until banking services resumed there toward the end of the 20th century.

Architecture

The current First National Bank Building is the third structure erected on this location, replacing a predecessor lost to fire. Designed by Chicago architect O.H. Breidert in partnership with Childs & Smith, it embodies the Renaissance Revival architectural style. Constructed with a steel frame and faced in brick and stone, this nine-story building rests on a concrete foundation. Its overall restrained silhouette contrasts with an elaborately detailed lower section that merges classical Renaissance motifs with innovations from the Chicago School.

The building’s design is divided into three distinct parts: a two-story base; five floors dedicated to offices; and a two-story upper section topped by a bracketed cornice. The base features an imposing arcade composed of tall round arches and pilasters adorned with capitals carved with eagles, buffalo, and floral patterns. The primary entrance on Second Street is set within a recessed rounded arch and embellished with an ornate bronze screen decorated with urns, floral elements, and Greco-Roman figures. Above this entryway is a four-panel bronze frieze illustrating mining, coin stamping, coin weighing/counting, and commerce scenes. This artwork was created by John Polachek Bronze & Iron Company, recognized for its collaborations with Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Positioned above the entrance arch are reclining sculptures by Adolph A. Weinman, who also contributed to prominent monuments such as the Jefferson Memorial and U.S. Supreme Court. Within the archway itself are carved figures by Corrado Parducci symbolizing labor, agriculture, industry, commerce, law, philosophy, security, and banking. An inscription located above the third floor commemorates this site as home to America’s first national bank.

In 1994, a copper clock dating from 1918 was installed on the northeast corner; it is notably heavy. The west façade includes an awning sheltering motor banking lanes and ATMs. The ground floor interior has undergone extensive modifications and retains minimal historic features.

In contrast to its ornate base, the five office levels above are relatively plain; aside from quoins at corners, these floors are unadorned with windows positioned close to the exterior wall surface. A slim cornice marks the separation between these office floors and the upper two stories. The top section is distinguished by two-story pilasters that emphasize vertical lines balanced by dark recessed spandrels. The structure concludes with a broad bracketed cornice crowning its roofline.

Acknowledged for its architectural importance, this building was one of five from Iowa’s 1920s era included among the 50 Most Significant Iowa Buildings of the 20th Century by the Iowa Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.