Biscuit Day #559: outrage and the overwhelming beauty of Louis Sullivan's banks

Muffins infiltrate, Sullivan fascinates

In a distinct act of revolution, Leo had suggested muffins instead of biscuits for this morning. Ernie makes a delightfully simple little muffin but I will save that recipe for another time. These were great but it’s back to biscuits next week.

It is time.

I share with you our last two Louis Sullivan jewel box banks. We have now visited all eight of them

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Sidney, Ohio’ People's Federal Savings and Loan Association, built in 1917, was up first. It was getting late in the day but we’d made sure to get there in time to visit the interior. We drove around the square looking for it. If there’s a town square, the bank is always there. Suddenly we saw it when the brilliant blue of the facade’s tile jumped out at us. For some reason the intensity of the blue surprised me. I tend to think of these banks in shades of green, brick red, and gray stone. It’s funny, despite the incredible ornamentation, they are still surprisingly quiet little buildings. Quiet and strong.

As you probably know, the architect Louis Sullivan is considered to be one of the fathers of American modern architectture. He was a mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright, defined the modern skyscraper, buildings landmarks like Chicago’s Auditorium Theater, the old Carson Pirie Scott & Co on State Street in Chicago and one of my all time favorite buildings, St. Louis’ Wainwright building.

In his later years the combination of changing styles and his own temperament led to bankruptcy but then a number of commissions for small town banks in the Midwest allowed him to make another lasting mark (albeit with the help of George Elmslie). Often called jewel boxes due to their small size and extravagant ornamentation, these banks are icons of early modern architecture and have led a merry chase from Iowa to Minnesota, to Wisconsin, Indiana, and now to Ohio.

A few old pictures from the Sidney Daily News’ coverage of its centennial.

Thanks to a friend (hotel points can be donated, people) we were able to grab the last of the banks on our list, in Newark, Ohio.

After being startled at the strong blues in the Sidney bank, this one seemed quieter again, and almost delicate.

This building is in the midst of a years long restoration, now focused on the interior. These photos can be found at their facebook page.

I’ll write more about all the Sullivan banks but for now I wanted to share the crown jewels, so to speak, of our wander. Such beauty, they shimmered with gold in my mind. That always happens with things that overflow my senses.

I’ve been hard at work on a little project or two that I hope to share with you soon. Oh, and Day Three of the wander coming soon.

Onward.

Love,
Cynthia