State Bank Building, Decatur Branch

The State Bank Building is a federal bank structure from 1833 in Decatur featuring five imposing limestone columns at its front facade. The structure combines federal architectural elements with classical proportions and design forms from early America.

The building was established in 1833 as a bank branch and later occupied by Union troops during the Civil War, who used it as a field hospital. These two phases shaped its historical trajectory.

The building displays classical exterior design typical of early 19th-century financial institutions, reflecting how prosperous communities wanted their banks to appear.

The building sits in central Decatur and is open to visitors during accessible hours. You can see the original banking hall and architectural details from inside the structure.

The massive limestone columns were transported from a quarry in 1833 using wooden rollers and mules, an impressive logistical feat for that era. This method highlights the engineering challenges of constructing large public buildings in the early United States.

Location: Alabama

GPS coordinates: 34.61444,-86.98361

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:41