American Exchange Bank, Historic bank building in Capitol Square, Madison, United States.
The American Exchange Bank is a three-story Italian Renaissance Revival structure built with Madison sandstone, featuring a rusticated ground floor and paired windows with distinctive arches and keystones. The facade displays careful 19th-century craftsmanship throughout its design.
Constructed in 1871, this building replaced the American House, which had hosted Wisconsin's first territorial legislature session in 1838. The site held continuous importance in Madison's civic and commercial life from the city's early years.
The bank's name shifted from Deutsche Bank to American Exchange Bank in 1918, reflecting wartime sentiments that shaped how the Madison community identified itself. This change shows how global events touched local institutions and their public presence.
Located at One North Pinckney Street near Capitol Square, the building currently contains office spaces suitable for small businesses seeking a downtown location. The interior has been adapted while preserving the original architectural character and materials.
The building maintains its original massive cornice and distinctive window designs across all three levels, making it one of the last remaining 1870s sandstone structures on Capitol Square. Such detailed craftsmanship from that era has largely disappeared from the surrounding area.
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