Union Block - Oskaloosa, Kansas. - Converted Bank Buildings on Waymarking.com

The Union Block in Oskaloosa is a composite unit of four rectangular storerooms unified by common materials and design. Each section is two stories in height and has a full basement. The buildings face north toward the courthouse square, and the whole business block measures 100 feet long and 80 feet deep with a height of 35 feet.

The exterior walls are constructed of red brick laid in running bond and trimmed around the windows and doors with rough hewn limestone. The red brick facade rises from a massive stone base which marks the basement area. The horizontal bands of rough hewn stone occurring at the sill and head lines of the second floor windows tie them together visually.

The roof is flat and concealed behind a decorative parapet wall. A stone and metal cornice at the parapet is ornamentally treated with wide projecting brackets and corbels.

The front entrance to the former bank building is angled across the corner and flanked by two short red granite columns resting on high limestone bases. Springing from the column capitals is a massive limestone arch. Further emphasis is added to the main entrance by a heightened parapet wall with the word "BANK" in a central position. Also, extensive brick corbeling occurs above the second floor window arch, and the corbeling is flanked by two brick pilasters situated directly over the two granite columns. A secondary entrance located on the east wall also has an extended parapet -- this one with the date "1892."

The arched transom above the main entrance is colored glass. The windows on both the first and second floors occur in tall arched openings with rough hewn limestone blocks forming the arches. The window sills are single stone blocks. The arches above the second floor windows are engaged in groups of three and four. A pediment between the two western storerooms has the name "UNION BLOCK" and the date "1892." Below the pediment on the first floor is an exterior opening providing access to the second floor rooms.

The exterior of of the former bank has undergone only minor changes, the most obvious being the recent placing of a sign by the current occupant, a restaurant. From all indications the next storeroom to the west, now a department store, still has the original exterior. The remaining two storerooms originally had the same appearance as the department store. But the front of the third was bricked up within the last year or two and new door and window openings installed. The fourth facade has been changed by the installation of a theater marquee and other alterations. In no instance have the second floor facades been changed.