American Commercial and Savings Bank
Encyclopedia
American Commercial and Savings Bank is located at 201-209 Main Street, Davenport, Iowa
, United States
. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. The building is known locally as the Wells Fargo Bank building.
the bank’s name was changed to American Commercial and Savings Bank.
In the 1920s American Commercial and Savings Bank absorbed the Security Savings Bank. As a result of the Great Depression
it absorbed Iowa National Bank, the Citizens Trust and Savings Bank, and the Farmers and Merchants Bank. It was one of five banks in the city that was still active when President Franklin Roosevelt declared the Emergency Banking Act
in 1933. The others included: Bechtel Trust Company, Northwest Davenport Savings Bank
, Union Savings Bank and Trust
, and Home Savings Bank. It was one of only two banks to re-open in Davenport. The bank changed its name at this time to Davenport Bank and Trust Company under the direction of E.P. Adler. By 1936 it rebuilt itself to become the second largest bank in Iowa. V.O. Figge became associated with the bank in 1931 as a bank examiner and served as vice-president, president and CEO until it was sold to Norwest Bank in 1992. It became Wells Fargo Bank after the merger of the two banks in 1998.
The building has retained its original banking room. It is a multi-storied space with an elaborately painted ceiling. The space is lit by the large Roman arched windows on the east elevation. The ceiling is a canopy of groin vaults and is painted in a multi-colored design. A painting of the signing of the treaty between the Sauk and Fox
tribes and the US government after the Black Hawk War
hangs prominently on the south wall. The original wrought iron teller “cages” remain and the rest of the interior features dark wood and marble elements.
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The building is known locally as the Wells Fargo Bank building.
History
Henry Lischer and H.H. Anderson formed German Savings Bank in 1869. By 1916 it was the largest bank in Iowa. Because of anti-German sentiments that resulted from World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
the bank’s name was changed to American Commercial and Savings Bank.
In the 1920s American Commercial and Savings Bank absorbed the Security Savings Bank. As a result of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
it absorbed Iowa National Bank, the Citizens Trust and Savings Bank, and the Farmers and Merchants Bank. It was one of five banks in the city that was still active when President Franklin Roosevelt declared the Emergency Banking Act
Emergency Banking Act
The Emergency Banking Act was an act of the United States Congress spearheaded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression. It was passed on March 9, 1933...
in 1933. The others included: Bechtel Trust Company, Northwest Davenport Savings Bank
Northwest Davenport Savings Bank
Northwest Davenport Savings Bank is located in the old northwest section of Davenport, Iowa, United States. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1984. It is located near the Northwest Davenport Turner Society Hall, which is also listed on the...
, Union Savings Bank and Trust
Union Savings Bank and Trust
Union Savings Bank and Trust is located downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is now known as the Union Arcade. The Schmidt Block, which is immediately to the east of the Union Arcade, is also listed on the...
, and Home Savings Bank. It was one of only two banks to re-open in Davenport. The bank changed its name at this time to Davenport Bank and Trust Company under the direction of E.P. Adler. By 1936 it rebuilt itself to become the second largest bank in Iowa. V.O. Figge became associated with the bank in 1931 as a bank examiner and served as vice-president, president and CEO until it was sold to Norwest Bank in 1992. It became Wells Fargo Bank after the merger of the two banks in 1998.
Architecture
Walsh-Kahl Construction Company built the building from 1926-1927. The new building reflected the significance of the bank in the community. The architect is unknown. The building is ten stories with a steel frame covered with limestone. The lower story façade contains an ornate metal entrance, columns with stylized capitals and recessed Roman arched windows. The middle of the building contains seven stories of office space and is rather plain in appearance. The building is capped by a pedimented temple and a tall clock tower. The total height of the building is 255 feet (78 meters). A modern parking structure and additional space for the bank was built adjacent to the west side of the building in the 1970s.The building has retained its original banking room. It is a multi-storied space with an elaborately painted ceiling. The space is lit by the large Roman arched windows on the east elevation. The ceiling is a canopy of groin vaults and is painted in a multi-colored design. A painting of the signing of the treaty between the Sauk and Fox
Meskwaki
The Meskwaki are a Native American people often known to outsiders as the Fox tribe. They have often been closely linked to the Sauk people. In their own language, the Meskwaki call themselves Meshkwahkihaki, which means "the Red-Earths." Historically their homelands were in the Great Lakes region...
tribes and the US government after the Black Hawk War
Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
hangs prominently on the south wall. The original wrought iron teller “cages” remain and the rest of the interior features dark wood and marble elements.