Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson
Special to Colorado Community Media
Local residents and town leaders met at 188 S. Main St. in Elizabeth on May 6 to celebrate the placement of the 1907 First National Bank building on the National Register of Historic Places.
The building was officially placed on the National Register on March 10, but was presented with its plaque at the event.
The event was hosted by the Town of Elizabeth Historic Advisory Board. John Quest, the group’s chair, and Aimee Woodall, the vice chair, spoke to the crowd, speaking in detail about the history and architecture of the building as well as its importance to the Town of Elizabeth.
“This is an event that is hopefully one of many for the Town of Elizabeth,” said Quest. “It is the first time we’ve ever had an award like this.”
Eric Newcombe, national and state register historian at History Colorado, also spoke of the importance of the building’s placement on both the Colorado and national registers.
“Being listed on the National Register of Historic Places is a unique honor for any building, but particularly here in Colorado where we have only about 1,500 buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places,” said Newcombe. “The First National Bank of Elizabeth is significant for its history associated with the commerce of the town as well as its incredible architecture and I’m proud to be here to celebrate with you all to officially mark and designate this place in the National Register of Historic Places.”
The 1907 First National Bank building is currently owned by Janet and John Taylor. They purchased the building in 1977. Since the purchase, the building has been used as a shoe repair shop, woodworking shop, art studio, antique store and attorney’s office. At the event, Mayor Pro Tem Linda Secrist presented the Taylors with a plaque from the Town of Elizabeth for their dedication to the preservation of their property.
“This is pretty exciting. We just love the building. It just has so much charm,” commented Janet Taylor. “I started the work to get it on the national register myself but I thought it was too much work. I’m very happy that all these nice people got it done. We knew that it was possible to be put on the national register for about 10 years and got serious about it probably five years ago.”
Getting on the National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is a federal program under the umbrella of the National Parks Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior. It recognizes public and private buildings and places at the national, state, and local levels.
Once a building is determined to be eligible for listing on the National Register, it is evaluated at the state and national levels under four different criteria:
1. Significant events
2. Historic people
3. Architecture
4. Whether or not the site or structure may yield some sort of important prehistoric or historic information that is yet unknown.
The 1907 First National Bank building qualified under two criteria: events, for the commercial development of the Town of Elizabeth, and for architecture.
“It is the second building in Elbert County to be placed on the national register,” commented Vice Chair Woodall. “That is pretty significant for our little town.”
The other Elbert County building on the national register is St. Mark United Presbyterian Church in the town of Elbert, on the register since 1980.
Unique architecture
The 1907 First National Bank building is an excellent example of Renaissance Revival style. The significant architectural features are the rounded arches on the portico, the protective horizontal element (cornice) at the top of the building, the decorative brackets supporting the cornice, the decorative date block above and below the cornice, and the raised parapet (low protective wall at the edge of the roof).
The building is also significant because it is one of few in Elizabeth that is built with masonry. The bank being built with hardy masonry represented its stability for the development of the Town of Elizabeth in the early 20th century.
“The bank is an iconic example of commercial buildings from the early 20th century,” commented Wooddall. “You can see the silhouette of this building on all of the Elizabeth Main Street flags and signage to welcome people to the commercial district of Elizabeth.”
The original bank vault of the 1907 First National Bank building is still existing, as well as many of the original windows. Because there is no indoor plumbing, there is also a historic outhouse located behind the building. The outhouse was considered significant to the structure when submitting the application for the National Register of Historic Places.
“I joined the Historic Advisory Board about a year ago. My day job is as an architect, and I specialize in historic preservation,” said Woodall. “When I learned that Mr. and Mrs. Taylor wanted to pursue the national register application for the building, my hand shot up to volunteer. It is just such a special project. I am very honored to have been involved in this.”
Significant historical events
The Town of Elizabeth dates back to the end of the 19th century and was established along Running Creek as an agricultural development with some sawmilling due to its proximity to many ponderosa pines. At the turn of the century, the railroad was introduced to Elizabeth. At this point, the town began to develop and become a significant hub in eastern Colorado.
Turn-of-the-century Elizabeth had a thriving train depot, two hotels, saloons, ice cream parlors, mercantile buildings and two banks. The active 1907 First National Bank helped support the growth and the local businesses at the time.
Brief timeline of the 1907 First National Bank building
1906 — Lot 6, Block 1 (location of the 1907 First National Bank building) was purchased for $300.
1907 — First National Bank was constructed.
1909 — Farmers State Bank and First National Bank of Elizabeth were consolidated and bought interest in Kiowa State Bank.
1914 — The building sold for $3,500.
1930 — The First National Bank experienced institutional failure as a result of the Great Depression.
1940 — The building was owned by American Legion, Post 82. At the time, the space was also used to store medical and hospital supplies and to host Scout meetings. It was later used as Cameron’s Corner Christian book and gift shop as well as a recording studio.
1977 — John and Janet Taylor purchased the building. It was used as a shoe repair shop, woodworking shop, art studio, antique store and attorney’s office. The Taylors remain the owners of the building to this day.
2003 — The building was placed on the Town of Elizabeth Historic Register.
2007 — The Town of Elizabeth celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the building.
2023 — The 1907 First National Bank building was placed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties and the National Register of Historic Places.
Upcoming history-related events with the Town of Elizabeth
1. Historic Preservation Public Meeting
Presentation of design guidelines and creation of a historic district
Monday, June 12, 6-7 p.m., Town Hall Board Room, 151 S. Banner St.
2. 2023 Historic Walk and Talk
Saturday, Sept. 30 at 9:30 a.m., 165 Main St.
