First National Bank
Also known as: Napa Federal Savings and Loan
Why it's listed
Built in 1917 at 1026 First Street in the center of Napa's downtown commercial district, this one-story brick building was the new headquarters of the First National Bank, which had operated in the city for more than fifty years. Measuring about 40 by 90 feet, it is faced in terra cotta and granite meant to resemble marble. The symmetrical front has paired engaged Corinthian columns, a floral terra cotta door surround, a horn-of-plenty cameo, and a dentiled, modillioned cornice. Nine bays of Corinthian pilasters line the southwest side. The nomination describes it as Napa's best commercial example of Neo-Classical Revival design, a style considered well suited to banks because it suggested stability and tradition. Alterations include replacement of the original windows and doors around 1980, a ca. 1966 interior remodeling, and a rebuilt rear wall from the 1970s. The building still keeps its proportions, exterior classical detailing and commercial surroundings. It remains in financial use.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is Napa's most successfully designed commercial example of the Neo-Classical Revival, showing nearly all the style's elements. Its terra cotta and granite imitate marble, and its design conveyed security and tradition appropriate to a bank. It retains its original form, exterior classical detailing and commercial setting despite replaced windows.
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 92001277, listed September 24, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1026 First St., Napa |
|---|---|
| County | Napa County |
| Listed | September 24, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92001277 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1917 |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Classical Revival (Neo-Classical Revival) |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed use is still a financial institution; the interior was remodeled ca. 1966 and the windows and doors were replaced ca. 1980. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 38.29922, -122.28564 (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 92001277.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q133308497
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.