Exchange Bank (Golden, Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Exchange Bank
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Front of the bank
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | Quincy St., Golden, Illinois |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1891 |
| Architect | Gronewald, William T. |
| Architectural style | Italian Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 86003714 |
| Added to NRHP | February 12, 1987 |
The Exchange Bank is an old, important building located in Golden, Illinois, a small town in Adams County, Illinois. This building was designed in the Italian Renaissance style and was built in 1891. It has a rich history, starting as an office for a successful milling business before becoming the town's main bank.
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The Story of the Exchange Bank
The Exchange Bank building was constructed in 1891. It was built for a man named Harm Emminga. Harm's father, Henrich Emminga, was an immigrant from Germany. He started a very successful business in Golden that processed grain into flour.
From Mill Office to Town Bank
Harm Emminga continued his father's successful milling business. He built a new grain elevator and also this new bank building. At first, the bank building was just an office for the mill. The mill's office had always helped clients by lending and holding money for them.
Soon, this office grew into the main bank for the entire town of Golden. It became a very important place for people to save and borrow money. The building also housed the town's newspaper, called the New Era.
Moving and Closing the Bank
In 1905, the Exchange Bank moved to a new building in downtown Golden. By the 1920s, it had become a very successful business. It even worked with bigger banks in Quincy, Illinois.
However, the bank closed its doors in 1930. This happened because of a major event called the Wall Street Crash of 1929. This was a time when the stock market in the United States suddenly lost a lot of value, which led to a big economic problem across the country. Many banks and businesses struggled and closed during this period.
A Historic Landmark
The Exchange Bank building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 12, 1987. The National Register of Historic Places is a list of important buildings, sites, and objects in the United States that are worth preserving.
The Exchange Bank is one of only two places in Golden that are on this special list. The other historic site is the Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Chapel and Cemetery.
