Farmers and Merchants Union Bank (Columbus, Wisconsin) facts for kids
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Farmers and Merchants Union Bank
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 Location in Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Location | 159 W. James St., Columbus, Wisconsin |
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| Built | 1919 |
| Architect | Louis Sullivan |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000044 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 18, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | January 7, 1976 |
The Farmers and Merchants Union Bank is a very special old building in Columbus, Wisconsin. It was built in 1919. This bank is famous because it was designed by a well-known architect named Louis Sullivan. It's one of his last "jewel box" bank designs. Because of its unique look, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1976.
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Discovering the Farmers and Merchants Bank
The Farmers and Merchants Union Bank is located in downtown Columbus. You can find it at the corner of West James Street and South Dickason Boulevard. It looks like a tall, single-story building. The outside is made of special "tapestry" brick. It also has fancy marble and terra cotta decorations.
Outside the Bank
The front of the bank has two main sections. The entrance to the building is on the right side. Above the doors, there's a large, beautifully carved marble piece. Above that, you'll see a half-round stained glass window. This window is framed by a stone garland, which looks like a wreath. The side of the building, facing South Dickason, has a row of five windows.
Inside the Bank
Even though the building looks small from the outside, the inside feels spacious. On the left side, there's a row of teller stations. This is where bank employees would help customers. The design makes the most of the space.
The Architect: Louis Sullivan's Vision
This bank was designed by Louis Sullivan in 1919. He even personally watched over its construction. This was one of his last "jewel box" designs. These were small, beautiful bank buildings. He designed them for smaller towns in the Midwest.
Sullivan's "Jewel Box" Style
The Columbus bank was the last of eight "jewel box" banks Sullivan designed. It was also the second-to-last one to be finished. Sullivan was a very important architect. He is sometimes called the "father of skyscrapers." He believed that "form ever follows function." This means a building's shape should match its purpose.
Other Wisconsin Designs
The Farmers and Merchants Union Bank is one of only two buildings Sullivan designed in Wisconsin. The other is the Harold C. Bradley House. That house is also a National Historic Landmark. Sullivan even wrote about the design of this bank. He included it in his 1924 book, A System of Architectural Ornament. This book came out not long before he passed away.
More "Jewel Box" Banks by Louis Sullivan
Louis Sullivan designed several other unique "jewel box" banks. Each one has its own special details. They show his amazing architectural style.
- Henry Adams Building, Algona, Iowa (1913)
- Home Building Association Company, Newark, Ohio (1914)
- Merchants' National Bank, Grinnell, Iowa (1914)
- National Farmer's Bank, Owatonna, Minnesota (1908)
- People's Federal Savings and Loan Association, Sidney, Ohio (1918)
- Peoples Savings Bank, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (1912)
- Purdue State Bank, West Lafayette, Indiana (1914)
