100 E Main

1914 Cherokee State Bank

Classical Revival Style
This two-story bank building is the only Cherokee building with a nearly complete full terra cotta cladding (one that 
is combined with red brick wall panels).  The south or main facade is quite narrow (24x100).  A high stone faced 
raised foundation flanks the fairly small entryway and a deeply recessed entryway is flanked by monumental fluted 
Corinthian columns.  These and the surfaces within the entryway, including window surrounds, panels, ceiling 
moldings and so on are executed in white terra cotta.  Egg and dart moldings support the strongly projecting soffitt. 
The cornice front bears the lettering "Cherokee State Bank."  A plain red brick parapet with raised central panel 
surmounts the cornice.  Brick pilasters divide the west sidewall into seven bays, each of which features a triple- 
window set.
The building was remodeled into an office facility in 1966-67.  The bank fixtures were removed.  Two law offices 
upstairs became apartments.  The building is so well constructed that it was designated a Civil Defense Shelter 
during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  The architect and builder are not identified.
​The building's location represents the early 20th Century re-emergence of the dominance of the intersection at 
Second and Main, this comer being the last of the four to be rebuilt with a more substantial building.  This coincided 
with East Main being substantially built up with fireproof brick buildings.  The bank building also reflects pre- 
World War I municipal prosperity.  The Cherokee State Bank was established in 1888, and this is its second site. 
This new building was first envisioned on Christmas Day  1913 when the directors formed a building committee with 
authority to enter into construction and furnishings contracts to not exceed $40,000.  The building construction 
began in early 1914 and by early July the basement was nearly complete.  The bank moved into the new building on 
April 5,  1915.  The new building was locally lauded as a "magnificent structure" which required an entire year's 
construction effort.  It was fully fireproof, constructed of 12-14 inch wide tile walls.  The massive vault was said to 
be the largest in the region ("not to be matched in Sioux City till the new Livestock National Bank is finished"). 
The interior waiting rooms were finished in marble and mahogany.  The entry doors were solid bronze with double 
plate glass windows.