German-American Bank, بنك في أركنساس، الولايات المتحدة
The German-American Bank is a historic bank building in Altus made of red brick on the corner of Franklin and Main Streets, constructed in 1905 with Italianate style features. The two-story structure has a stone foundation, decorated arch-shaped windows on the upper floor, and a flat roof hidden behind a brick parapet with dentil details.
The building was constructed in 1905 to serve the growing community of German and Swiss immigrants who had settled in the area starting in the 1870s. The bank closed in 1918 during World War I when anti-German sentiment grew strong, leading the institution to change its name to the Bank of Altus.
The bank's name reflected the German and Swiss immigrant community that settled in the area and built farms and vineyards. Today the building stands as a reminder of how these settlers contributed to the town's development and local commerce.
The building is located at the corner of Franklin and Main Streets, making it easy to spot when walking through town. Its corner placement at the intersection gives it a prominent position that helps visitors quickly locate it during a visit to Altus.
After closing in 1918, the building served as a post office for many years before becoming the Altus Heritage House Museum. Today it displays exhibits about the area's early history and local heritage, including coal mining tools that tell the story of the region's past.
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