Gila Valley Bank and Trust Building
| Company type | Bank |
|---|---|
| Industry | Banking |
| Founded | 1900 in Solomonville, Arizona, United States |
| Fate | Merged in 1922 with The Valley Bank and Trust to form Valley National Bank of Arizona |
| Headquarters | Solomonville (originally), Globe (branch) , United States |
Area served | Arizona |
The Gila Valley Bank and Trust Building is a notable historic bank edifice situated in Globe, Arizona, recognized on the National Register of Historic Places since 1987. Erected in 1909, it initially served as the premises for the Gila Valley Bank, which subsequently became known as Valley National Bank of Arizona.
History
Established in 1900 in Solomonville, the Gila Valley Bank and Trust opened this building as its fourth branch, marking its first expansion beyond Graham and Greenlee Counties. In 1922, a merger with Phoenix’s The Valley Bank and Trust resulted in the formation of what eventually became Valley National Bank of Arizona.
The branch ceased operations under Valley National Bank in 1952. Following its closure, the structure accommodated a variety of occupants, including retail outlets and a newsstand. By 2017, it had been repurposed to function as an art gallery.
Architecture
The building was crafted by Chicago-based architects Ottenheimer, Stern & Reichert and showcases Arizona’s earliest documented use of glazed terra cotta for its exterior cladding, manufactured in Chicago. This architectural choice symbolized Globe’s prominence as a mining and ranching center during the early 1900s. Comparable terra cotta façades did not emerge elsewhere in Arizona until the late 1910s.
As Globe’s sole example of Neoclassical architecture, it is regarded locally as an "outstanding" structure. Architectural elements include Corinthian pilasters, an intricate frieze, and rounded windows.
A restoration project in the 1980s preserved several modifications made over time, such as repositioning the entrance to the corner, removing ornamental brickwork, applying stucco finishes, and altering the original inscription from "Gila Valley Bank and Trust Co." to "Valley National Bank."
See also
References
- Bank buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Arizona
- Beaux-Arts architecture in Arizona
- Commercial buildings completed in 1909
- Buildings and structures in Globe, Arizona
- National Register of Historic Places in Gila County, Arizona
- Individually listed contributing properties to historic districts on the National Register in Arizona