Property Record
209 E JEFFERSON ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Bank of Spring Green |
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| Other Name: | M&I, BMO Harris Bank |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 91483 |
| Location (Address): | 209 E JEFFERSON ST |
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| County: | Sauk |
| City: | Spring Green |
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| Year Built: | 1972 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19762012 |
| Historic Use: | bank/financial institution |
| Architectural Style: | Contemporary |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Sandstone |
| Architect: | William Wesley Peters, Taliesin Associated Architects |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | Built by the Kraemer Brothers, designed by William Wesley Peters, chief architect of the Taliesin Associated Architects of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. The bank moved into this building in 1972 after a merger brought Spring Green's two old banks, the Bank of Spring Green and the Farmers State Bank, together. When constructed, it was hoped that the building's unusual architecture would "attract a lot of people to the community" and it was lauded for "not looking like a familiar bank." The interior was designed to screen bank equipment, such as typewriters and adding machines, from view. The lobby featured limestone check writing tables, several planters and two fireplaces that took the edge off the standard "institutional" feeling. When opened, the bank had 9,500 square feet on two levels. The storage, records and supplies were kept in the basement. The main floor housed four offices, a conference room, hidden accounting department and eight teller windows. The original furnishings, also planned by the architects, were made of Danish teakwood. A 'site file' (Spring Green Commercial Historic District) 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, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. 2012- "This previously inventoried, Wrightian bank is located on the north side of East Jefferson Street, immediately east of North Worcester Street. Erected in 1972, the one-story building is composed of the flat-roofed, rock-faced stone-veneer bank with its plan of interesting circles, and a matching rock-faced stone wall that abuts the driveway. The bank features a ribbon of windows behind a concrete screen of geometric shapes, and curving canopies of smooth-faced concrete. The only apparent alteration is the installation of a drive-up teller station. Still in its historic use, the bank maintains excellent integrity. The interior was not accessible during the field review." - "E Jefferson St, Worcester St to STH 23 (Winstead ST)", WisDOT ID #5916-00-01", Prepared by Rachel E Bankowitz (2012). |
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| Bibliographic References: | "New Building is Attractive, Functional," Wisconsin State Journal, May 4, 1972. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |