2025 interior and exterior images of louis sullivan’s famers’ and merchants’ bank building (1919) located at 159 west james street, columbus, wi.

the farmers and merchants union bank was the last small bank building or “jewel box” designed by architect louis h. sullivan.

sullivan was hired on as architect by the bank’s president, j. russell wheeler in 1919.

the bank building’s “tapestry” brick was made in crawfordsville, ind. the speckled green glaze terra cotta was fabricated by the american terra cotta company, crystal lake, il.

the interior art glass was installed by louis millet.

the interior woodwork was executed by mathews brothers mfg. and the marble counters done by the mcclymont marble company – both of milwaukee, wi.

the mold from the two rearing terra cotta lions with monogrammed shields was sculpted by kristian schneider and later reused on an apartment building a few years after the bank was completed.

image courtesy of bldg. 51 archive.