Frank L. Smith Bank
| Company type | Bank |
|---|---|
| Industry | Banking |
| Founded | 1906 |
| Founder | Frank L. Smith |
| Headquarters | Dwight , United States |
| Products | Banking services |
The Frank L. Smith Bank, presently operating as the Dwight Banking Center of Peoples National Bank of Kewanee, is situated at 122 W. Main Street in Dwight, Illinois, United States. Conceived by the renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, its initial design phase began in 1904, with construction finalized in 1905 and the bank opening its doors in 1906. The architectural approach intentionally diverges from the classical styles common at the time, striving to express understated dignity.
History
In 1904, Frank Lloyd Wright was commissioned by Frank L. Smith, a notable local entrepreneur and future member of Congress, to design the bank building. Smith established the bank to offer financing solutions tailored for his real estate clientele and engaged Wright to create its architectural plan. The bank commenced operations in 1906.
Wright maintained close involvement throughout both design and construction stages, extending his influence to interior layouts and furnishings. Letters exchanged between Wright and Smith indicate that most of Wright’s final design decisions were executed, although some choices led to delays in the project timeline.
Renovations
The structure has experienced several updates over time. During the 1950s modernization, the original skylight was lowered to accommodate air conditioning installation; much of the interior limestone was concealed, and oak trim was removed. In the 1960s, when owned by First National Bank of Dwight, restoration efforts reversed some earlier changes by removing Wright’s original partition that separated the bank from real estate offices, reopening the skylight, revealing interior stone surfaces, and reinstating oak trim consistent with Wright’s initial designs.
Around 1990, an extension was added to the building’s left side along with a drive-up canopy, both crafted to harmonize seamlessly with Wright’s original architectural vision.
Architecture
Wright’s preliminary 1904 concept for the Dwight bank depicted a vertical brick structure featuring columns framing a recessed central entrance and a prominent decorative frieze on the front facade. The reasons behind abandoning this initial design remain unclear.
The completed structure showcases a 60-foot-wide storefront facade that consciously rejects conventional classical bank aesthetics. Its cut stone exterior communicates straightforward dignity and strength, reflecting Wright’s philosophy that banks should embody distinctive character rather than mimic "temples of worship." Scholar Margaret Randall observed that Wright’s Smith Bank, alongside his City National Bank in Mason City, Iowa, was "designed to evoke our culture's worship of money."
A notable architectural element is the fireplace, uncommon in commercial buildings and uniquely featuring Roman brick. The current interior consists of a single open area; however, Wright originally divided this space into two parts: one for Smith’s real estate office and another for banking operations. He also crafted bespoke furniture for each office space, much of which has since been sold. Among these pieces is a round-backed chair with a bent-wood backrest and curved seat that recalls Wright’s earlier designs at the Darwin D. Martin House, though with less integration. Interior details include an electrically illuminated skylight, oak trimwork, and exposed stone surfaces.
See also
References
- Heinz, Thomas A. The Vision of Frank Lloyd Wright. Chartwell Books, Inc., Edison, New Jersey: 2006, ().
- (p.111).
External links
- Construct your own Frank L. Smith Bank, provided by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (archived August 2013)