click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Location
Property Features
MAP CODE IS 0709-133-3001-8. BUILDING HOUSED THE PARK SAVINGS BANK UNTIL THE AMERICAN EXCHANGE BANK ACQUIRED THE BUILDING IN 1922. IN 1911, SEVEN BAYS WERE ADDED TO THE WASHINGTON STREET FACADE; IN 1946 SEVEN BAYS WERE DEMOLISHED ON THE PICKNEY ST. SIDE.
Built in 1871 and attributed to Madison architect Stephen V. Shipman, the Old Park Savings Bank or American Exchange Bank was built on the site of Madison's first hotel, the American House. The American House was the meeting place for the first territorial legislature. The old hotel burned in 1868, and this slender sandstone business block was constructed shortly thereafter. The First National Bank bought the building in 1881 and remained in it until 1922 when it was acquired by the John J. Suhr family's German-American Bank.
"Built in 1871, the old American Exchange Bank is one of the last remnants of the large three or more story sandstone blocks that dominated the capitol square from the 1850s to the 1950s. It is located on the site of the old American Hotel, where the first session of the Wisconsin legislature was held. Its architecture, by Stephen V. Shipman, is a fine example of the Italian Renaissance revival, displaying excellent craftsmanship in sandstone. The building originally extended five bays along N. Pinckney Street where the MG&E Energy Center is now. This part was destroyed by fire in the 1940s.
The bank building's occupants through the years were pioneer banking establishments which contributed greatly to the growth and development of the community. Opened in 1871, the building housed the Park Savings Bank on the E. Washington Avenue, and two stores on N. Pinckney Street with insurance and other offices above the stores. The First National Bank occupied the building from 1881 to 1922, when the American Exchange Bank moved in. During alterations in 1911, the southeast facade facing East Washington was extended to the east by seven more window bays and the main entrance relocated to the west corner of the building facing Pinckney Street. The decorative elements above the cornice were removed and the frieze below the cornice received a more elaborate treatment." Madison's Pioneer Buildings: A Downtown Walking Tour, 1987.
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
Questions?
Wondering about if your property is eligible or notice some information on this property needs to be updated, reach out today!
Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
Access Property Records
Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.
Madison Capitol Fence and Pinckney Street
circa 1880-1889
A view of the Capitol Park and Pinckney Street taken approximately 1885-1890. The building in the center, at the intersection of Pinckney and East Washington Avenue, was the First National Bank, no...
