Bank of Chester County
Why it's listed
Built in 1836 on a narrow lot in West Chester under the supervision of architect Thomas U. Walter, this two-story masonry bank was designed around its Doric portico. Walter adapted the columns, capitals and entablature from a small temple at Athens illustrated in Stuart and Revett's Antiquities of Athens, altering proportions and adding anthemion mutules from the Parthenon. The street facade is purely Greek, while two arched side windows show Roman influence. The bank was founded as the first in Chester County in 1814 and was the county's only bank for 43 years. It opened just before the Panic of 1837 and has operated continuously since. Early officers included Dr. William Darlington, a physician and botanist, and David Townsend, a cashier also noted as a botanist, and a plant was named for each. The building is one of three Greek Revival structures remaining in town, and an inscription naming Walter is visible inside the portico.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant for its association with architect Thomas U. Walter and for its Greek Revival design, particularly a portico adapted from a Stuart and Revett plate of a small Doric temple at Athens. It also cites the bank's early founding in Chester County, its continuous operation since opening, and the prominent botanists and officials among its early officers.
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 02001458, listed June 5, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 17 N. High St., West Chester |
|---|---|
| County | Chester County |
| Listed | June 5, 1972 |
| Reference number | 02001458 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1836 |
| Architect / builder | Thomas U. Walter (architect) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In continuous banking operation since opening; altered in 1874, 1905 and 1928, with the 1928 changes still existing. |
| Within district | West Chester Historic District (Boundary Increase) |
| Coordinates | 39.96010, -75.60478 (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 02001458.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4856083
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.