National Farmer's Bank of Owatonna facts for kids
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National Farmers' Bank
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The National Farmers' Bank of Owatonna from the southwest
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 101 North Cedar Avenue, Owatonna, Minnesota |
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| Built | 1908 |
| Architect | Louis Sullivan |
| Architectural style | Prairie School |
| Part of | Owatonna Commercial Historic District (ID14001237) |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000441 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 26, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | January 7, 1976 |
| Designated CP | February 2, 2015 |
The National Farmers' Bank in Owatonna, Minnesota, is a very old and special bank building. It was designed by a famous architect named Louis Sullivan in 1908. This bank was the first of his unique "jewel box" designs. It looks like a strong red brick building with cool green decorations. You'll notice two big arches on the outside. Inside, it has beautiful stained-glass windows, a mural (a big painting), and huge iron lights called electroliers.
Contents
A Special Bank Building
The National Farmers' Bank is a historic building in Owatonna, Minnesota. It was built in 1908. The bank was designed by a very famous architect named Louis Sullivan. He also worked with George Grant Elmslie on the decorations.
Why the "Jewel Box" Design?
The bank's leaders wanted a new kind of bank building. They felt that regular bank designs were not good enough. So, they asked Louis Sullivan to create something special. His design became known as a "jewel box" bank. This was because it was small, but very beautiful and detailed.
What Made It Unique?
Sullivan's design included special rooms for the bank's customers. There was a room where farmers could do business with each other. There was also a special room for women to talk about their money. The bank also had a meeting room for the bank's board. Even the president's office was custom-designed. All these rooms had fancy decorations and special furniture.
Outside the Bank
The outside of the bank is made of red brick. It has green terra cotta bands. Terra cotta is a type of baked clay used for decoration. You can see two large arches on the sides of the building that face the street. There are also smaller wings on each side. These wings used to hold bank offices.
Inside the Bank
The inside of the bank is just as amazing. It has two beautiful stained-glass windows. These windows were designed by Louis J. Millet. There is also a large painting called a mural by Oskar Gross. You can also see four huge cast iron lights. These lights are called electroliers. They were designed by George Elmslie.
History of the Bank
The bank building has been changed and fixed up over the years. In 1940, some parts of the inside were changed. But later, in 1958 and from 1976 to 1981, it was restored. This means it was brought back to look like its original design.
A National Landmark
On January 7, 1976, the National Farmers' Bank became a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important building in American history. It was recognized for its amazing architecture. Today, the building is still a bank. It is now a branch of Wells Fargo. It is also part of the Owatonna Commercial Historic District.
Images for kids
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West elevation detail
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Cartouche
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Cartouche detail
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Exterior terra cotta
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Electrolier
See also
In Spanish: National Farmer's Bank of Owatonna para niños
