First National Bank

The historic First National Bank building of Boone, Iowa was completed in 1916. At eight-stories tall, it remains one of the city's most prominent landmarks and is located in the heart of the business district. Prominent midwestern architecture firm Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson. Designed the building combining the Classical Revival and Chicago Commercial styles. Built with a steel frame encased in concrete, the exterior features a base of rusticated Georgia granite and smooth Bedford limestone on the north and west sides, windows with stone-trimmed surrounds, and a decorative wide roof overhang. The Chicago Commercial style is reflected in the building's basic shape and construction technology. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989 and is now owned by U.S. Bank.

The origins of First National Bank date back to 1863 when it received its charter from the federal government and opened its first location in Cincinnati. First National eventually became U.S. Bank in the early 2000s. The First National Bank building is one of nine known buildings in Boone designed by Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson. The previous bank building at this location burned down in a fire and as a result, the bank hired the firm in 1915 to design a fireproof structure. The new building, which cost $115,000, was erected during a building boom in the downtown area. The building's location near the old Lincoln Highway contributed to its importance, not only to local residents but to travelers passing through town.

Christian, Ralph J. "First National Bank." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. June 28, 1989. https://npgallery.nps.gov/pdfhost/docs/nrhp/text/88003232.PDF.

"Learn how our past is shaping our future." U.S. Bank. Accessed September 14, 2021. https://www.usbank.com/about-us-bank/history.html.