Reedley National Bank
Also known as: Old Bank of America Building
Why it's listed
Built in 1920 at the corner of G and 11th Streets in Reedley, this two-story brick bank building is faced in ornamental terra cotta and designed in a classical manner. Three-quarter engaged fluted columns frame the entrance, which is topped by a wing-spread terra cotta eagle. Greek fret bands, medallions, cameos and a dentiled cornice decorate the facades. Inside, the original high ceiling with plaster ornament survives above a later dropped ceiling, and the basement retains its vault and a wooden money chute. Architect Ernest J. Kump Sr. designed the building for Reedley National Bank, which moved in during September 1920. The bank was taken over by the Bank of Italy in 1927, which became Bank of America in 1930. The building matters as a rare surviving example of Kump's ornamented commercial work and as a reminder of the bank that financed local orchards and packing houses during Reedley's growth as a fruit-producing center.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant for architecture and commerce. It is a well-preserved, heavily ornamented classical work by architect Ernest J. Kump Sr., many of whose buildings were demolished. It also housed Reedley National Bank and later the Bank of Italy/Bank of America, whose larger loans supported the town's shift from wheat to fruit growing.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 85000352, listed February 28, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1100 G St., Reedley |
|---|---|
| County | Fresno County |
| Listed | February 28, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85000352 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Ernest J. Kump, Architect; M.G. West Company of San Francisco/Interior Contractor |
| Architectural style | Classical |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Exterior described as unaltered and well preserved; ground floor converted to optometrist offices in the 1960s-70s, with plans to rehabilitate it for retail use. Basement unaltered. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 36.59633, -119.45048 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 85000352.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q133261484
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.