AKA: People's National Bank Company, Headquarters Building #1, Downtown, Seattle, WA; People's Savings Bank, Headquarters Building, Downtown, Seattle, WA

Structure Type: built works - commercial buildings - banks (buildings); built works - commercial buildings - office buildings

Designers: Bebb and Mendel, Architects (firm); Charles Herbert Bebb ; Frank X. McLellan (building contractor); Louis Leonard Mendel Sr. (architect)

Dates: constructed 1900

3 stories

200 Pike Street
Downtown, Seattle, WA 98101

OpenStreetMap (new tab)
Google Map (new tab)
click to view google map
The People's Savings Bank occupied the northeast corner of 2nd Avenue and Pike Street in 1904.

Overview

The People's Savings Bank was in operation by at least 02/23/1901, when a classified ad for it appeared in the Seattle Times. The bank had capital of $100,000. E.C. Neufelder was its president in 1900, while James R. Hayden was its Cashier. At this time, according to its ad, it "transacts a commercial, savings and trust business." (See "People's Savings Bank," Seattle Times, classified ad, 02/23/1901, p. 14.)

Building History

The People's National Bank of Washington utilized space in the Masonic Block at 2nd Avenue and Pine Street beginning in 1900. The extensive promotional pamphlet, Seattle and the Orient, (1900), a work describing Seattle's commercial institutions and leaders and how they were well-positioned to engage in commerce in Asia, stated of the bank: "In March of the present year, 1900, the bank chaged its location to most elegantly appointed quarters in the Masonic Temple, at the northeast corner of Second Avenue and Pike Street, the building being owned by E.C. Neufelder, president of the institution. The present official roster of the bank is: E.C. Neufelder, president; John Leary, vice president; James R. Hayden, cashier; Joseph T. Greenleaf, assistant cashier; directors, E.C. Neufeldt, John Leary, R.H. Denny, John Collins, and James R. Hayden." (See Alfred D. Bowen, Seattle and the Orient, [Seattle: Seattle Times Printing Company, 1900], p. 131.)

Building Notes

In 1904, the bank called itself the "People's Savings Bank." Edward C. Neufelder served as President, Roland H. Denny (of the pioneer Denny Family), was Vice-President, and Jospeh T. Greenleaf acted as the Cashier in 1904. The bank continued to operate at this corner in 1922. (See Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1922, p. 449.)

This bank building operated well into the 20th century on the northeast corner of 2nd Avenue and Pike Street. In 1901, the Polk's Seattle City Directory listed the People's Bank Building address as 200 Pike Street (its southern facade); in 1911, a west-facing storefront occupied by L. Kilsheimer and Company, a liquor and wine business, had an address of 1510 2nd Avenue. In 12/1928, a furrier, Ernest Fritzer, occupied Offices 406-408-410 in the People's Bank Building. A photo exists in the MOHAI's Webster and Stevens Collection, photo number 1983.10.664. (See "People's Bank building, Seattle, ca. 1927,"accessed 11/21/2012.)

Alteration

An additional three stories were added to the People's Savings Bank Building in 1905. According to the Seattle Times of 02/25/1905: "During the week the contract was let for the three additional stories and for remodeling of the People's Savings Bank, on the northeast corner of Second Avenue and Pike Street, by Bebb & Mendel, the architects, to F. McClellan & Co. H.F. Sweeny & Co. will do the plumbing and Harry Blake will do the painting and decorating. The work, which will start next week, will cost $150,000." (See "Real Estate and Building Review," Seattle Times, 02/25/1905, p. 7.)

Demolished; a parking garage took the place of the People's Savings Bank Headquarters.

PCAD id: 15129