First National Bank of Glasgow

Introduction

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The historic First National Bank of Glasgow building stands prominently in heart of downtown Glasgow on the corner of 5th Street and 1st Avenue. This location is fitting because the bank, when it was built in 1914, symbolized and contributed to the town's development as a stable, permanent community in the early 20th century. The two-story building is also an excellent example of Beaux-Arts architecture. It features decorative terra cotta detailing, entryways with Corinthian columns, balconies on the second floor, and pilasters (decorative elements that look like columns). The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

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Built in 1914, the First National Bank of Glasgow is an elegant example of Beau-Arts architecture and represents the growth of Glasgow in the early 1900s.

Backstory and Context

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In 1891, brothers John and Robert Lewis founded a bank—the predecessor to First National Bank—in Glasgow. John and Robert moved from Minnesota in 1889 and 1891, respectively. They, along with many others, made the journey after 18 million acres of Indian lands in northeastern Montana were opened up to settlement in 1887. They first opened a general store before establishing the bank, which, when it opened, was the only one within 200 to 300 miles. Interestingly, the brothers apparently knew little about banking but they considered the opportunity to open one too good to pass up.

The bank was initially located inside their store and had only a desk, safe and a stool. Eventually it grew and in 1900 the brothers moved it to the brick building next door, and renamed it to Bank of Valley County in 1902. The brothers obtained a national charter in 1905 and it was at this point that they changed the name to First National Bank. The bank remained at this location until 1914, a year after the Fort Peck Indian Reservation was opened up to settlement. Seeing another opportunity to grow their bank even more with the influx of settlers, they built the current bank building. The previous structure at this location was one of the first buildings erected in Glasgow.

The brothers owned the bank until 1943 when they sold it to shareholders, leaving a legacy of success and influence in the county. They were able to weather economic downturns, including the panics in 1893 and 1907, were successful businessmen, and donated to charitable organizations. They were also known for looking well dressed. The next president, A.B. Friedlund, who first started working for the bank in 1924, guided the bank to even greater heights in the coming years. He, too, became an influential figure in Glasgow.

The bank moved to a new building in 1971. The old bank building became home to a law office for a number of years and appears to house various businesses today.

Sources

Jacobson, Jerry L. "First National Bank of Glasgow." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. June 27, 2002.

The Montana National Register Sign Program. “First National Bank of Glasgow.” Montana Historical Society - Digital Vault. Accessed July 28, 2020, http://digitalvault.mhs.mt.gov/items/show/20316.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glasgow,_MT_-_First_National_Bank_Building.JPG

Additional Information

National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: First National Bank of Glasgo