Meridian Exchange Bank

The Meridian Exchange Bank in Meridian, Idaho, was designed by the Boise architectural firm of Tourtellotte & Co. and constructed in 1906. Charles Hummel may have been the supervising architect.[2] The 2-story, Renaissance Revival building was constructed of brick and sandstone by contractors Allen & Barber, and it featured a corner entry at Idaho Avenue and Second Street. The ground floor entry and a Second Street entry to the second floor both were framed by shallow brick pilasters supporting simple stone capitals. Four corbelled brick chimneys extended above the second floor parapet. The Meridian Exchange Bank and a barbershop occupied the ground floor, and the Independent Telephone Exchange rented the second floor. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1982.[3][4]

Meridian Exchange Bank
Meridian Exchange Bank building in 1980
Meridian Exchange Bank is located in Idaho
Meridian Exchange Bank
Meridian Exchange Bank is located in the United States
Meridian Exchange Bank
Location109 E. 2nd St., Meridian, Idaho
Coordinates43°36′38″N 116°23′22″W
Arealess than one acre
Built1906 (1906)
Built byAllen & Barber
ArchitectTourtellotte & Co.
Architectural styleRenaissance Revival
MPSTourtellotte and Hummel Architecture TR
NRHP reference No.82000223[1]
Added to NRHPNovember 17, 1982

After its listing on the NRHP, the building was renovated, and it bears little resemblance to its original design by Tourtellotte & Co. The second floor was removed, and a cement cornice was added above the first floor. Window fenestrations were redesigned with arched, keystoned brickwork. The corner entry was retained, although it was redesigned to include an arch and triple keystone. The renovation may have happened while Elite Cleaners occupied the building.[5]

The Vault cigar shop opened in the building in 2014.[6]

Meridian Exchange Bank

Meridian Exchange Bank was organized in 1902 as a branch of Capital State Bank, located in Boise.[7] Vernon T. Craig helped to found the bank and served as an early cashier. Craig sold his bank holdings in 1905 and moved to Emmett, Idaho, where he founded the Bank of Emmett.[8][9] Craig helped to incorporate the town of Meridian in 1903.[10]

By 1906 Meridian Exchange Bank had outgrown its original location, and the 2-story Tourtellotte & Co. design was constructed.[11] The bank added 75 safe deposit boxes in 1910.[12]

In 1912 Meridian Exchange Bank merged with the Bank of Meridian and formed the First National Bank of Meridian.[13] The bank had vacated the building by 1938, and Elite Cleaners was established at the site.[5]

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. "Plans for New Bank Edifice at Meridian". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. September 26, 1906. p. 5.
  3. "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Meridian Exchange Bank". National Park Service. Retrieved April 17, 2019. With accompanying pictures
  4. "Meridian". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. July 30, 1908. p. 8.
  5. "Bank of Meridian". City of Meridian. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  6. Kate Talerico (December 18, 2018). "Meridian developments aim to bring downtown back to life". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. p. 4.
  7. Bankers Magazine. Vol. 65. Bradford Rhodes & Co. 1902. p. 705. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  8. James H. Hawley (1920). History of Idaho: The Gem of the Mountains. S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. p. 351. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  9. "Vernon Craig, Early Leader in Area, Dies". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. September 9, 1956. p. 10.
  10. "Meridian Wants to Incorporate". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. July 29, 1903. p. 6.
  11. "Meridian Business Block". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. May 27, 1906. p. 5.
  12. "Meridian". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. August 6, 1910. p. 3.
  13. "Consolidation of Meridian Banks Probable". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. January 21, 1912. p. 1.

Media related to Meridian Exchange Bank at Wikimedia Commons

Further reading
  • Frank Thomason and Polly Ambrose Peterson, Meridian (Arcadia Publishing, 2010), pp 64
  • Glen Barrett, Idaho Banking 1863-1976 (Boise State University Press, 1976), pp 161


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