First National Bank of Mason City

First National Bank of Mason City

Company type	Bank
Industry	Banking
Founded	1911
Headquarters	Mason City, Iowa , United States
Products	Banking services

The First National Bank of Mason City, which is also referred to as the Norwest Bank Building and the City Center of Mason City, stands as a significant historic commercial edifice located in Mason City, Iowa. This building was designed by the Des Moines-based architectural firm Liebbe, Nourse & Rasmussen, marking their only project within Mason City. Constructed in 1911 by C.E. Atkinson from Webster City, Iowa, the six-and-a-half-story building is a representative example of the Early Commercial architectural style. Its design features a subtly adorned ground floor and attic that frame five levels of unembellished brickwork. Originally, the bank occupied the majority of the first floor along with select upper-level offices, while other professional spaces filled the remaining areas; by the 1960s, the bank had expanded its presence to encompass the entire building. In 1982, a neighboring structure was razed to facilitate the addition of a two-story annex.

A notable event in the building's history occurred on March 13, 1934, when notorious criminals such as John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, John Hamilton, and Tommy Carroll executed a robbery, absconding with roughly $50,000. During the ensuing gunfight, Dillinger sustained injuries.

The building gained individual recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 and was subsequently designated as a contributing element within the Mason City Downtown Historic District in 2005. In 1995, ownership transferred to City Center of Mason City Inc., which undertook renovations converting it into a combination of residential apartments and office spaces.