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First National Bank

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1892, John F. Bell, builder. 901 Main Ave. (northwest corner of 9th St.)
  • (© Chuck Wilkson)

In brick, quarry-face stone, and cast iron, this two-story Romanesque Revival bank replaced an 1882 bank destroyed by fire. Brick corbeling and weaving patterns culminate in the flared brick parapet. When federal bank inspectors questioned the location of the region's only national bank in 1985, bank president Alfred Camp shot back that the First had “the most central and desirable corner in Durango.” Uncle Sam may have been concerned that the rest of the 900 block was part of Durango's bar and brothel district.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Thomas J. Noel
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Data

What's Nearby

Burns National Bank
Central Hotel
Newman Block
Main Avenue Furnishings (Balthasar Kern Saloon)
Office Building (Post Office)

Citation

Thomas J. Noel, "First National Bank", [Durango, Colorado], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/CO-01-LP05.

Print Source

Buildings of Colorado, Thomas J. Noel. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997, 556-556.

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