| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History.
The Walworth State Bank was first established in 1900 (or 1901) as the Walworth Exchange Bank, a private institution. In 1903, it was reorganized as the Walworth State Bank and it had its first quarters in the one-story building just north of the Higbee Building (106 N. Main Street) on the Village Square. The financial institution continued to operate out of that building until the subject Neoclassical-style building was constructed at the southwest corner of the square. Four years after its opening, the bank was robbed and the culprits were never captured. In 1958, the bank's interior was remodeled; however, just twelve years later, in 1970, a new Walworth State Bank was erected on the outskirts of the village.
2010: Neoclassical in style and rising from a concrete foundation, this structure is faced with brick. Oriented to the Village Square, the structure’s primary (west) central entry is set off by a pair of brick pilasters to either side and within a tall, stone-trimmed, round arch accented by a central keystone. The replacement glass door and sidelight is topped with a multiple-light, steel-sash window. Each of the outer two bay divisions carries a rectangular, steel sash window that is topped with a carved stone header that includes a foliated design, as well as a cartouche-like element. The pilasters support a stone entablature which is inscribed with “WALWORTH STATE BANK.” A line of dentil trim and a modest stone cornice rests immediately beneath a brick and stone parapet. The structure’s south elevation is divided into four bays by paired, brick pilasters. The outer two bays carry the same rectangular window arrangement and carved stone header found along the west elevation, while the remaining center bays feature a round-arched, multiple-light, steel-sash window set within a stone arch. Circa-1960s signage, which includes a clock and information marquee, extends from the south corner of the building.
2024: Resurveyed. Determined eligible in 2011. Little change in appearance. Update photo. |
|---|
| Bibliographic References: | "Walworth Bank Strongly Serves Since 1903," and Walworth State Bank, advertisement, including timeline, in The (Walworth) Times, Sesquicentennial Editions, 2 July 1987, pages 11 and 10, respectively.
“Architecture/History Survey: Reconstruct USH 14: Illinois State Line To I-43.” WHS project number 11-0524/WL. July 2010, rechecked February 2011. Heritage Research, Ltd. |
|---|
