First National Bank Building - Davenport, Iowa
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Hikenutty
N 41° 31.346 W 090° 34.561
15T E 702249 N 4599591
The First National Bank of Iowa was actually the FIRST National Bank created after the creation of the National Banking Act of 1863. Therefore it is the FIRST First National Bank.
Waymark Code: WM1YK1
Location: Iowa, United States
Date Posted: 08/04/2007
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member silverquill
Views: 72

This building houses the very first "National Bank" in the United States. The National Banking Act of 1863 was passed and soon after this bank was founded, making it truly the first of the the many "First National Banks".

This building is actually the third building that the bank has been housed in - all located here in on the same site on 2nd St. in downtown Davenport. Today it is the only surviving building on this block of the Davenport Central Business District, and is surrounded by parking lots.

The building was constructed in 1923 after the bank's previous building was lost in a devastating fire in the downtown core of the business district. The nine story structure was built using steel frame and brick construction, on a concrete foundation and faced in stone. The building is a combination of the Renaissance Revival style with the technological innovations of the Chicago School of Architecture.

Stone relief panels use patriotic and farming motifs in an unique manner. This style of decor is repeated in the ornate barrel vaulted entrance and bronze panels located over the main entrance.

If you look high up on the building you'll see an inscription noting the banks status as being the first National bank in the United States.
Street address:
201 W. 2nd St.
Davenport, IA USA
52801


County / Borough / Parish: Scott

Year listed: 1983

Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering

Periods of significance: 1900-1924

Historic function: Commerce/Trade

Current function: Commerce/Trade

Privately owned?: yes

Season start / Season finish: From: 01/01/2007 To: 12/31/2007

Hours of operation: From: 9:00 AM To: 5:00 PM

Primary Web Site: [Web Link]

Secondary Website 1: Not listed

Secondary Website 2: Not listed

National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.
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Recent Visits/Logs:
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AddHam visited First National Bank Building - Davenport, Iowa 01/31/2012 AddHam visited it
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