Farmers and Merchants Bank
Farmers and Merchants Bank (Nampa, Idaho) is located in Idaho
Farmers and Merchants Bank (Nampa, Idaho)
Farmers and Merchants Bank (Nampa, Idaho) is located in the United States
Farmers and Merchants Bank (Nampa, Idaho)
Location101 11th Ave., S., Nampa, Idaho
Coordinates43°34′47″N 116°33′37″W / 43.57972°N 116.56028°W / 43.57972; -116.56028
Arealess than one acre
Built1919-c. 1920
ArchitectTourtellotte & Hummel
Architectural styleClassical Revival
NRHP reference No.76000670[1]
Added to NRHPMay 13, 1976

The Farmers and Merchants Bank, now the Nampa Public Library, at 101 11th Ave., S., in Nampa, Idaho is an Idaho bank building whose construction began in 1919. It was designed by Idaho's most notable architects Tourtellotte & Hummel in Classical Revival style that suggests solidity. It is a 60 feet (18 m) by 90 feet (27 m) two-story building with a portico consisting of a pediment supported by two pairs of Ionic columns. The pediment's tympanum contains an eagle sculpture. Within the portico, above the front door of the bank, is "Nampa Public Library" in block letters and a smaller pediment is sculpted and includes insignia of the First National Bank.[2]

A banking downturn hit, however, before it was completed, and the Farmers and Mechanics Bank company was absorbed by the First National Bank. The building was occupied by the Stockmen's National Bank company, which was absorbed by the First Security Bank in 1927. The building was donated to the city of Nampa for use as its library by the First Security Bank in 1965.[2]

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.[1]

It was deemed significant in part for its architecture, in particular for "its sculpted pediments on the portico and above the door, and for its fine stained glass skylight, which is still in place."[2]: 3 

Nampa Public Library occupied the building until 2015, when a new library was constructed.[3] The bank building was renovated, and it reopened in 2018 as a multi-office commercial space.[4]

Henry Aldous Dixon was managing vice president of the bank from 1924 to 1932, between two terms as superintendent of a university.

References

  1. 1 2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 Don Hibbard and Tom Renk (January 9, 1976). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Farmers and Mechanics Building / Nampa Public Library". National Park Service. Retrieved July 31, 2016. with photo from 1975
  3. ↑ Anna Webb (March 13, 2015). "A modern library, a downtown reborn - City to celebrate its new library, new public square and new community spirit on Saturday". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho.
  4. ↑ Lisa Stewart (November 21, 2016). "'Doing our part:' Nampa couple renovate historic buildings". Idaho Press. Nampa, Idaho. Archived from the original on January 3, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2019.

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