Property Record
1000 E MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | AMERICAN STATE BANK |
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| Other Name: | GTE Building |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 21827 |
| Location (Address): | 1000 E MAIN ST |
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| County: | Lincoln |
| City: | Merrill |
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| Year Built: | 1925 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1991 |
| Historic Use: | bank/financial institution |
| Architectural Style: | Other Vernacular |
| Structural System: | Unknown |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | A H HUBBARD (OF CHICAGO) |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
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| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. The American State Bank is significant under Criterion C as the only example of Sullivanesque commercial style architecture in Merrill. In 1904 the German American Bank opened in the Peterman Building at 920 - 922 E. Main Street. This bank, operating as a Merrill institution, after outside investors sold all interests to local business people, changed its name to American State Bank in 1918, no doubt to anti-German sentiments after World War I. Sometime between 1920 and 1925 American State Bank constructed the two story brick block at 1000 E. Main Street. American State Bank operated until 1934, when it consolidated with Citizens State Bank. After the bank vacated the building, it stood empty until circa 1942, when Wisconsin Telephone Company moved in. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Merrill City Directories, 1893 to 1945, located at T.B. Scott Free Library, Merrill, Wisconsin. B. Gilkey, George L. A History of Banking at Merrill, 1952. Pamphlet located at Merrill Historical Society. C. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, 1884-1948. Located on microfilm at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |