National Exchange Bank building
| Company type | Bank |
|---|---|
| Industry | Banking |
| Founded | December 1864 |
| Founder | William G. Deshler (president) |
| Defunct | 1892 |
| Fate | Merged into Deshler National Bank |
| Headquarters | Columbus, Ohio , United States |
The National Exchange Bank building stands as a significant historic commercial edifice situated on Capitol Square within Downtown Columbus, Ohio. Positioned at 1 W. State St., this structure dates back to the 1860s when it was originally constructed to serve as a banking facility, ranking it among the oldest edifices on Capitol Square. Presently, it accommodates a branch of Heartland Bank.
The location was initially referred to as the Clinton Bank Corner and was home to a building erected in 1830 by Samuel Barr, notable for being Columbus's first three-story construction. This original structure was demolished in 1863 to allow for the development of what became the National Exchange Bank building.
Founded in December 1864, the National Exchange Bank of Columbus was the city's second national bank and uniquely served as the sole U.S. depository in Columbus during that period. Its leadership included president William G. Deshler. The bank ceased operations in 1892 and was subsequently merged into Deshler National Bank, which operated from the site associated with the Deshler Hotel.
The building later accommodated a Cord Camera retail outlet for an extended period before remaining unoccupied for approximately five years. In December 2012, ownership transferred to a developer affiliated with the Schottenstein family, who purchased the 5,300-square-foot property for $465,000. Heartland Bank intended to inaugurate a branch at this location by September 2013. Renovation efforts involved adding LED ticker displays and a substantial video mesh screen, aiming to establish the building as a prominent "gateway" to Columbus Commons and South High Street, thereby enhancing visibility for both the bank’s brand and the developer’s ventures.