Dallas County State Bank

901-903 Main Street

Built in 1905, this was the second location of the Adel State Bank.   A fire on the night of January 25, 1925, caused terrific excitement with money and records hastily moved to the office of Russell Insurance.  In 1927, the First National Bank merged with Adel State Bank which continued to operate until January 1935 when it was forced to close due to the Great Depression.  Shortly after the bank’s closing, it was reopened by the Brenton family as the Dallas County State Bank.  In 1954, it had outgrown its quarters and moved to the present day Well Fargo’s location. 

Past owners of the building include Adel Abstract Company, J. J. Jones Grocery & Provisions, McClatchey Photo Shop, and currently Fine Arts Photography.

  • Dallas County Savings Bank

  • West Side of Adel Square

  • Corner of Main and 9th Street

  • Current Occupant - Fine Arts Photography

Architectural Survey Research

Narrative Description

This is a 2-story, commercial block built in 1908 of polychrome red-colored brick. The first floor of the east half features a canted entrance with arched entryway supported by stone columns. Large, arched windows flank this entrance. The east elevation of this half extends full half-city block in length. It features three additional entrances to the building on grade and an outside staircase to a basement entrance. The first floor of the west half features a remodeled storefront, including a large window flanked by doors. Two cast iron columns flank the window. The second floor features a symmetrical arrangement of three windows on the north elevation of the east and the west portions of the building. These windows feature 1/1 double-hung sash, crowned with segmental arched hood molds. A deepbrickworked frieze and cornice caps the building .

Statement of Significance

The Adel State Bank is National Register eligible under Criterion A. The building is an outstanding example of the preference among Adel entrepreneurs to select comer locations for the construction of substantial commercial buildings and the effect the relocation of the Milwaukee Depot to South g" Street had over the evolution of downtown Adel.

The Adel State Bank is National Register eligible under Criterion C. This commercial block is one of the most fully developed examples of Classical Revival architecture around the Public Square in Adel. The arched entrance to the building, the hood molds above the windows, and deep brickworked frieze and cornice call attention to the influence of this style.

In 1925, a fire in this building caused the Adel State Bank to relocate temporarily its premises to the northeast comer of the square. In 1927, the bank merged with First National Bank in Adel. This institution closed in March 1933 during the Great Depression and failed in January 1935. The Brenton bank subsequently moved its state bank charter from Van Meter to Adel and opened the Dallas County State Bank in this building. (Emehiser: n.p.)

Historic Uses*

901 Main Street

  • 1882: Adel State Bank organized by S.M. Leach and occupied a fine two story brick building at the SW comer of the square

  • January 23, 1925 fire but continued operation on NE comer of courthouse

  • 1927: merged with First national Bank

  • 1935 Adel State Bank closed

  • 1935 Brenton moved charter of Van Meter Bank and opened Dallas County State Bank

*Survey research completed in 2004 so only includes building uses prior to that time