Farmers National Bank
Also known as: Mad-24-2
Why it's listed
Built in 1902 at the southwest corner of Main and Chillicothe Streets, this two-story brick building has housed a bank in the heart of Plain City, Ohio, for more than 90 years. Its corner bank room has large leaded-glass transoms, decorative brickwork and a curved corner, while storefronts, offices, apartments and a lodge hall occupy other parts of the building. Inside, the original marble and wood banking screen, mosaic tile floor, corner fireplace and passbook shelves survive, along with 1930s security additions such as wire mesh screening, transaction turntables and gun loopholes. Plain City grew after a railroad arrived in 1850, and the bank was one of three in town in the early 1900s; it is the only one remaining in its original location. The lobby's seating and fireplace reflect a small-town bank that served social as well as commercial needs. Its architecture, preserved features and continuous use make it a local landmark.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is an excellent, well-preserved example of an early 20th century small-town or rural bank under Criterion C. It keeps its original exterior, banking room interior and 1930s security features. It has also served as a bank continuously for over 90 years at the town's most important intersection.
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 95000168, listed March 9, 1995. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Jct. of Main and Chillicothe Sts., SW corner, Plain City |
|---|---|
| County | Madison County |
| Listed | March 9, 1995 |
| Reference number | 95000168 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1902-1940 |
| Architectural style | Late 19th-early 20th century/commercial style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a bank since its founding, with a corner bank, storefronts and offices on the first floor; the interior is described as remarkably intact. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.10763, -83.26738 (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 95000168.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5435797
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.