Denhart Bank Building

Standing at the northwest corner of Washington Square in Washington, Illinois, this two-story brick building began as an Italianate bank built around 1872. Its rose-colored brick walls, sandstone window crowns with keystones, limestone sills and canted corner entrance mark it as a good local example of the style. Between 1902 and 1908 Henry Denhart bought the adjoining Colonial Revival-influenced building to the north and combined the two into an L-shaped structure. The bank began as Anthony and Denhart, became Henry Denhart and Company in 1885, and financed farm and town growth across Illinois and other Midwestern states until the state closed it in 1930. Depositors recovered only part of their money, and the failure affected property owners in many counties. Inside, the vault, safe, oak counter and much original woodwork survive. The upper floor was converted to apartments in 1951, and restoration work, including a replica cornice, was underway at the time of listing.