11 May photographic documentation of purcell and elmslie’s grand meadow’s exchange state bank (1910)
the exchange state bank (1910) was the first of three mower county (southern minnesota) bank buildings designed by the architectural firm of purcell, feick & elmslie (later purcell and elmslie). located on the corner of main street and grand avenue in the small town of grand meadow, minnesota, the two-story cubic building was built for a bank and vault on the first floor and office spaces on the second floor.
elmslie punctuated the dark red tapestry brick exterior with polychromatic sullivanesque terra cotta ornament (i.e., opposed panels above main entrance), oversized organic and energized cartouches bearing name of bank (unfortunately, a reckless name alteration/eradication left the centrally located portion of the panels visibly scarred), richly colored mosaic tile borders surrounding the polychromatic panels, a single delicate fret-sawn painted wood lunette above the arched entrance located above the side door, and leaded art glass windows.
with the exception of a single prairie style oak wood light fixture, any and all interior elements were altered, removed, and/or destroyed during subsequent alterations since the time the building was erected in 1910. the building is now known as the first farmers and merchants bank.
photographic images and historic ephemera courtesy of eric j. nordstrom and the bldg. 51 archive. all rights reserved.
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