Originally known as the Manufacturers’ Bank and Trust Company, this financial institution changed its name to the American Bank of St. Louis, before being merged with Mercantile Bank,
It’s a classic Beaux-Arts bank building, though it’s curious in its relatively low-slung design; most financial institutions normally tower over their other one-story neighbors.
My father, of blessed memory, spent his early years on S. Broadway, almost across the street from this bank bldg. In his later years, he always wanted to go back to 1716 S. Broadway. Made a lot of trips down there to look at what was no longer there.
Did you see my article I wrote about the neighborhood for St. Louis Magazine?
https://www.stlmag.com/history/architecture/the-annihilation-of-kosciusko/
Thanks for sharing this. Good story. My Dad was very young when his family moved from the neighborhood, but I have older cousins who’s parents told them all the stories… Must have been a raucous bunch!
the customers christmas parties were a hoot
Sounds interesting!
I worked at Manufacturers Bank from 1966 to 1988 and it was a wonderful place to work. A few former employees, myself included, still get together for brunch once a month. Those were my favorite years of my career and I still enjoy remembering those years and the people with whom I worked.