The “old” Old National Bank

Old State National Bank 1894
The Old National Bank building 1894

Old National Bank, one of Evansville’s most prominent financial instituions, can trace its history back to 1834.  Situated at the corner of Main and Riverside, the bank was officially established as a branch of the Old State Bank of Indiana. The growing back became the Old State National Bank (of Evansville) and constructed its own building at 20 Main St just one year later.  It was designed in the Greek Revival style and resembled a temple with its four Ionian columns. It should be noted that years ago banks would often erect grandiose buildings to project an image of security.  In 1885, the bank was renamed Old National Bank

 

Sketch of the Old State National Bank
Sketch of the Old State National Bank which dated back to the 1830s.

This iconic building served the bank until 1916. Following a trend, it built a larger, more substantial bank just up the street on the 400 block of Main St. The vacant bank was bought by the Loyal Order of Moose and became Lodge No. 85. The organization made this their Moose Home for decades. Looking to freshen up the building, it was refacaded in 1950 to this sad plain front.

A modernized Moose Lodge (1950)
A modernized Moose Lodge (1950)

It is been asked to take one tablet in a day or two and at least half an hour before sexual activity. cialis generic overnight appalachianmagazine.com It will thus not appalachianmagazine.com sildenafil canada pharmacy work satisfactorily. Keep in mind that you should always talk to appalachianmagazine.com buy cipla cialis your doctor first. Kamagra is totally different from all other erectile dysfunction drugs, that is, it allows more flow of blood inside of tadalafil cheap the lacunar network leading to venoocclusive dysfunction.
You can imagine the demolition it would take to undo such a beautiful front. When the portico and its pillars were removed, it mentions in the article that the support beam across was a single piece of wood measuring 14 in x 11 in and 40 ft long. It would have been cut out by hand with and ax and was as solid as the day it was put up. The pillars looked like stone but were actually solid brick. Each was over 30 ft tall and more than 4 ft thick so a crane was used to remove them. Thankfully the 1st block of Main St was blocked off during demolition because when one pillar toppled it broke the sidewalk and smashed into several chunks.

When the Moose Lodge left the building for smaller quarters in 1956, the Petroleum Club picked up the building. Plans were in place to remodel it into their new headquarters, but after a few years the organization opted to move in to the Citizens Bank’s new building. Old State National Bank was one of the oldest buildings on Main St–if not the city–when it was razed in 1959. It should be no surprise that the site became a parking lot.

Below are a few more images with the old bank clearly visible.

0 block of Main St during 1937 Flood
First block of Main St during 1937 Flood.  The bank steps are visible in front of the car at right

Main St from Riverside c1950 (before remodeling)
Main St from Riverside c1950 (before remodeling)

Leave a Reply