Bank of Loleta
Why it's listed
Built in 1920 to designs by Eureka architect Franklin T. Georgeson, this small bank sits in the one-block commercial strip of Loleta, a dairy town above the Eel River Delta. Constructed of reinforced concrete with precast cement decoration, it is 28 feet wide and 82 feet long. Its front shows fluted columns and pilasters with ornamented capitals, a bracketed pediment with a shell motif, a dentiled cornice and a roof balustrade. Painted white, it contrasts with neighboring storefronts. The interior retains its tile floor, wooden tellers' cage, ceiling panels and vault. The bank grew from banking services offered at the Dickson & Dickson general store, which was licensed in 1905, and it was incorporated in 1910 with $25,000 in capital stock. Its architecture and its long service to local ranchers and merchants are the reasons given for its listing. A guidebook of 1973 called it a modest, well designed small bank.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is a fine example of Neo-Classical Revival architecture that keeps a high degree of integrity. It also reflects nearly 65 years of banking service to Loleta's dairying community, a service that began with the Dickson & Dickson store and the bank's 1910 incorporation.
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 85000354, listed February 28, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 358 Main St., Loleta |
|---|---|
| County | Humboldt County |
| Listed | February 28, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85000354 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Franklin T. Georgeson |
| Architectural style | Neo-Classical Revival |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in good condition. The form says it is carefully preserved and still serves as a bank, with the only apparent exterior alteration being replacement of the original doors with aluminum ones. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 40.64045, -124.22515 (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 85000354.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q133267465
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.