Winona Savings Bank Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Winona Savings Bank Building
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The Winona Savings Bank Building from the northwest
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 204 Main Street, Winona, Minnesota |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1914–1916 |
| Built by | Haglin-Stahr Company |
| Architect | George W. Maher |
| Architectural style | Egyptian Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000776 |
| Designated | September 15, 1977 |
The Winona Savings Bank Building is a really cool old building in Winona, Minnesota. It's now called the Winona National Bank Historic Downtown Building. This building looks like something you might see in ancient Egypt! It was built a long time ago, between 1914 and 1916.
A famous architect named George W. Maher designed it. The building is special because it's one of the best examples of Egyptian Revival style in Minnesota. It's also important because it shows how buildings were designed for business back then. Because it's so unique and well-preserved, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
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What Makes This Building Special?
The Winona Savings Bank Building stands out because of its unique look. It was built using a style called Egyptian Revival architecture. This means it was designed to look like ancient Egyptian temples or tombs.
What is Egyptian Revival Architecture?
Imagine ancient Egypt with its grand pyramids and temples. Egyptian Revival architecture takes ideas from these old buildings. It uses things like tall, straight columns, flat roofs, and decorations that look like hieroglyphs or Egyptian symbols.
This style became popular in the 1800s and early 1900s. People were very interested in ancient Egypt after new discoveries were made there. Architects used these ideas to design banks, museums, and even cemeteries.
The Winona Savings Bank Building has many features that show this style. It has strong, simple shapes and details that remind you of ancient Egyptian art. It's one of the best examples of this style in Minnesota.
Who Designed the Bank?
The person who designed this amazing building was George W. Maher. He was a well-known architect from Chicago. Maher designed many buildings, especially homes, in the early 1900s.
He was known for his unique designs and for using natural elements in his work. The Winona Savings Bank Building is considered one of his most important projects in Minnesota. He made sure every detail fit the Egyptian Revival style.
Why is the Building Important?
The Winona Savings Bank Building is important for a few reasons. It's not just a cool-looking building; it also tells us about history and architecture.
A Historic Landmark
In 1977, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the United States that are important to history. Being on this list means the building is protected and recognized for its special value.
It was chosen because it's the largest and best-kept Egyptian Revival building from the early 1900s in Minnesota. It also shows how important banks were to towns like Winona. They were central to business and community life.
A Look at the Past
This building helps us understand how people lived and worked over a hundred years ago. It shows the kind of architecture that was popular at the time. It also reminds us of the people who built and used it.
Today, the building is still used as a bank. This means you can still see and appreciate its unique design. It's a piece of history that continues to be part of the community.
