Hammond Historical Flashback

Remembering . . .

the State Bank of Hammond 5444-5446 Calumet Avenue Hammond, Indiana

Photo of bank building detail taken in 1953. Illustration form Calumet Room / Hammond Historical Society

The State Bank of Hammond Building is by far the best example of the Neo-Classic style of architecture remaining in the city. Located near the southwest corner of the intersection of Calumet Avenue and Sibley Streets. The structure was dedicated on Saturday, September 10, 1927. It was well received by the community, with over 7,000 people passing through the buildings majestic columned entrance during its gala grand opening. It is a fine example of the most popular style of bank buildings that were built in the Midwest during the booming economy of the 1920's.

Designed by architect Karl Vitzthum, who in his career is credited for building over 50 banks. Best known for designing the One North LaSalle Street Building, the old Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Cook County Hospital and the old Comiskey Park.

This Monumental Building was home to the State Bank of Hammond for just five short years, during the economic boom of the late 1920's and the Great Depression of the early 1930's. The bank, was first founded by three prominent local businessmen, A. Tapper, E. Ullrich, and T. Moor, in 1917. The bank in 1931 voluntarily liquidated its assets and closed, and still has the uniqueness of being the last bank in the city of Hammond to close after the stock market crash of 1929, and the only bank in the city not to fail.

The Building was reopened in 1933 by the Calumet State Bank (Now Bank Calumet), but was vacated just after two years, when the bank moved to its new headquarters in the downtown section of the city; also in the move were the buildings over 500 safe deposit boxes. Since then, the building has had many other uses, serving as a branch of the Hammond Public Library, a state auto license branch and various other office and retail uses.

The City of Hammond, at one time had plans to demolish it, but the soundness of the structure helped save the building. Now the State Bank of Hammond building has the advantage of being the only building in the city to be listed in the 1984 U. S. Department of Interior, National Register of Historic Places. The structure is now currently under renovation by a private individual.

The State Bank of Hammond Building, is a Neo-Clasical two-story structure with a full basement. Constructed of brick, concrete, and steel with 18 inch thick outer walls and steel reinforced concrete floors. The main front facade is covered with glazed terra cotta, with the remaining walls being exposed brick. A colossal entry portico is defined by two fluted, square columns and two fluted round columns all being 20 feet in height.

A Center Entrance leads to a small vestibule that follows into a spectacular lobby that has a 25 foot ceiling. The lobby is light by a 20 by 30 foot translucent skylight helped by electric lights on cloudy days, and was probably one of the most beautiful, stained glass, sky light ceilings in the city. The lobby floor is covered in six inch square cream and pink terrazo with brass inlays. The lobby walls consist of plaster on clay brick tiles with Federalist ornamentation that include finely detailed cornices and floor to ceiling pilasters.

The South Entry leads you upstairs via a marble and wainscoted stairway to four private offices and two bathrooms. The marble lavatories here just served these offices, which did not relate to the bank downstairs. This access also served as a passageway down to the basement of the building which also served as separate office/retail space.

The North Entry gains access to a large separate first floor office/retail area. At the rear of the bank a private stairway leads up to a second story Board Room and a large steel, walk-in records vault.

The Structure also has a unique heating and ventilation system that was ahead of its time. Air was forced to circulate through sheet metal air ducts that were concealed in the lobby pilasters and then connected in conjunction with the skylight. This allowed the movement of radiated heated air throughout the buildings lobby area.

Join the Hammond Historical Society if you are interested in learning more about the history of the city of Hammond - Membership dues are now currently $10.00 per year for individuals, $25.00 per year corporate.
Contact the - Hammond Historical Society || 564 State Street || Hammond, IN 46320 || Phone 931-5100.

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