First National Bank of Mason City, Historical bank building in Mason City, Iowa.
The First National Bank building is a seven-story structure built in Chicago School style, featuring steel-frame construction, expansive plate glass windows, and plain brick panels between floors. The design displays the characteristic lines and proportions typical of this architectural movement, with a focus on honest expression of the building's skeleton.
The building was completed in 1911 by the architectural firm Liebbe, Nourse & Rasmussen, marking their sole commission in Mason City. It rose during a period of significant economic activity in the region when important commercial structures were reshaping the city.
The building displays the architectural language that early 20th-century banks used to express confidence and prosperity in their cities. Visitors can still observe the commanding windows and solid construction that communicated security and permanence to the public.
The structure sits on North Federal Avenue in downtown Mason City and remains accessible to the public as it now houses residential and office spaces. Its central location makes it easy to reach on foot and it serves as a helpful landmark while exploring the city's architectural heritage.
The building was the site of a 1934 bank robbery by John Dillinger and his gang, who escaped with approximately 50,000 dollars after a shootout. This incident connects the structure to a dramatic chapter of American crime history during the Prohibition era.
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