Property Record
315 S. Main St. - Northern building
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Blanchardville State Bank / Union State Bank |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 244418 |
| Location (Address): | 315 S. Main St. - Northern building |
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| County: | Lafayette |
| City: | Blanchardville |
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| Year Built: | 1895 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2021 |
| Historic Use: | bank/financial institution |
| Architectural Style: | Romanesque Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | This 2-story Romanesque Revival building was constructed in 1895 to serve as the Blanchardville State Bank (later, the Union State Bank). It is rectangular in plan with red brick walls and a flat roof. The front elevation faces east and features the repeated use of round arches over windows and doors and an elaborate cornice. The first story contains three large, multiple-coursed round arches over two large windows and a recessed entrance. The entrance is accessed via a set of concrete steps. The window glass has been replaced with opaque, stuccoed panels and feature multi-pane semicircular transoms in which the glass has been painted or replaced with opaque panels. A narrow cornice spans the width of the façade above the first story. The second story contains six round-arched window openings; all windows are 1-over-1 with round-arched transoms that have been painted or covered with opaque panels. A continuous row of round-arch brick crowns accents the second story windows. Above this, a wide, elaborate cornice features an elevated center pediment bearing the building’s construction date (“1895”) and original function (“BANK”); additional decorative detailing includes dentils, a corner finial, a classically-inspired entablature, and brick corbelling. A below-grade staircase that runs parallel to the face of the building provides access to the exposed basement level along the front façade. The bank closed its doors in 1929 and never reopened; the space was subsequently used by a number of local businesses and services. See also AHI 66725. |
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| Bibliographic References: |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |