Property Record
156 W JAMES ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | UNION BANK |
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| Other Name: | STATE FARM INSURANCE |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 3472 |
| Location (Address): | 156 W JAMES ST |
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| County: | Columbia |
| City: | Columbus |
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| Year Built: | 1861 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1975 |
| Historic Use: | bank/financial institution |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Columbus Downtown Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 3/5/1992 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/22/1992 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | WAS NAMED THE UNION BANK BY ITS PRESIDENT, JOHN R. WHEELER, WHO WAS A GREAT ADMIRER OF PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN. STOOD AS A BANK UNTIL 1920. THE BUILDING LATER SERVED AS THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE FOR MANY YEARS. It is not certain that Vanakan and Boelte built the Basset and Davies Building, but of their known works, one of the most decorative is the Union Bank-Telephone Building, an Italianate design built in 1861. The characteristic bracketed metal cornice features an arched pediment on one elevation and a triangular pediment on the other. Arched windows with pronounced brick moldings and decorative stone sills are also hallmarks of the style. Although the windows have been filled with wooden panels and a pent roof now shades the storefronts, the original character of the building is still apparent. "This was the location of the Farmers & Merchants Union Bank from 1861 to 1920 when it was moved to the Sullivan building across the street. It was named the Union Bank by the President Lincoln. The building later served as the Telephone Exchange for many years." Columbus Historic Architecture Tours, undated. |
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| Bibliographic References: | COLUMBUS HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE TOURS, HISTORIC LANDMARKS AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION, 1994. Buildings of Wisconsin manuscript. Columbus Historic Architecture Tours, undated. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |