| 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, State Historic Preservation Office. This one-story, 1960s Contemporary-style banking facility is topped with a low-pitched gabled roofline that rests atop a line of clerestory windows. Oriented to the northeast, a flat-roofed, one-story projection covered with a stone veneer extends from the front of the building, while a one-story, gabled wing extends from the rear. The central portion of the structure is sheathed with brick, while the rear and drive-through window projections are covered with a stucco-like veneer. The facility’s primary entrance is along its northwest elevation.
Designed by the firm of Reddemann-Domann, This structure was built in 1962, in conjunction with the Ruby Isle Shopping Center, all of which was developed by former farmer and real estate man Rolland Ruby. Originally known as Elm-Brook State Bank, the financial facility is identified as the first bank located in the City of Brookfield, the municipality of which was incorporated in 1954. In 1977, three lanes with a roof-top structure were added for drive-thru banking. Two years later, a fourth lane was added, as was the one-story addition to the rear. In 1981, the bank changed its name to Independence Bank and, in 1985, Independence Bank was acquired by Marine Bank West. Three years later the name was changed to Bank One. In 2004, the name was changed to JP Morgan Chase Bank; it remains known as Chase Bank today. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Reddemann-Domann, “A New Bank Building for Elm-Brook State Bank,” Original plans, 1 June 1962, Plans on file at the Wisconsin Architectural Archive, Milwaukee Public (Central) Library, Milwaukee, WI; “Start Brookfield ‘Center’ in May,” The Milwaukee Sentinel, 12 April 1962, II-5/1-2; “Elm-Brook Bank Begins Operation,” The Milwaukee Sentinel, 20 December 1962, 2-7/4-5; “Ruby Touch is Pure Gold for Suburbs,” The Milwaukee Journal, 9 September 1982, page 1, col. 1, 7E; Name changes and acquisition dates gleaned from Brookfield, Elm Grove, Butler City Directory (Brookfield, WI: Brookfield Jaycees, 1979-1986 and “Independence Bank Brookfield,” Available online at www.usbanklocations.com/independence -bank-brookfield-18655.shtml., Accessed December 2015. |
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