Wheeler Bank
| Company type | Bank (historical) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Banking |
| Founded | 1888 |
| Founder | Jerome B. Wheeler |
| Defunct | 1922 |
| Headquarters | Manitou Springs, Colorado , United States |
| Products | Banking services |
Wheeler Bank stands as a notable historic edifice located on Manitou Avenue in Manitou Springs, Colorado, originally established by mining magnate and financier Jerome B. Wheeler. Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, this building has functioned as a bank, an auditorium, and retail premises over time.
Building
Erected in 1888 for Jerome B. Wheeler, this was the inaugural banking institution in Manitou Springs.
The architecture presents a blend of Romanesque Revival and Italian Villa elements. The ground floor showcases two distinct facades: the 717 Manitou Avenue side is characterized by robust arches crowned with semicircular leaded glass windows, while the 719 side contains a recessed storefront. Positioned between these facades is an entrance leading to the upper levels. The second and third stories display symmetry, with windows arranged in a 3-1-3 configuration. Originally, the third floor accommodated an opera house extending across both addresses, which has since been transformed into residential apartments. As of 2013, the building's exterior red brick was coated in cream-buff paint with red accents.
Jerome B. Wheeler
Jerome B. Wheeler operated a banking facility occupying one portion of the first floor, sharing space with N.O. Johnson & Son’s dry goods store. The second level contained office spaces, while the third floor was home to an opera hall known as Wheeler Hall or Opera Hall. Although the bank ceased operations during the Panic of 1893, it eventually resumed business and continued until 1922 before moving to a new location as the Bank of Manitou on Manitou Avenue.
Wheeler played a vital role in the growth of Manitou Springs by providing:
- $50,000 towards the construction of Manitou Avenue
- Equipment for the volunteer fire department
- The Wheeler Clock positioned at the intersection of Manitou and Canon Avenues
- $10,000 dedicated to repairs following the 1913 flood