Robinson Bank Building
Why it's listed
Built in 1890 on West Main Street in downtown Palestine, this one-story brick building was home to the Robinson Bank, an early banking institution in the city. Bankers Dr. James Isaac Bonner and William Brice Robinson founded the bank around 1880, and it operated under several names, always including Robinson, until it merged with Royall National Bank in 1937. Later businesses used the space, the best known being the Rushing Jewelry Store, which added the neon sign on the facade. The building reflects the commercial boom that followed the railroad's arrival in 1872. Its three-bay front has a large round arch with a keystone, contrasting red and buff brick, and a stepped, corbeled parapet. These features make it the city's leading commercial example of Romanesque Revival. Alterations are limited mainly to replaced doors and a layer of stucco at the base. The building is currently not in use but remains in good condition.
Significance in brief: It is a tangible link to the commercial growth that followed the railroad's arrival in Palestine in 1872, and it housed the Robinson Bank until the 1937 merger with Royall National Bank. It is also considered the city's premier commercial example of Romanesque Revival and one of its most intact historic commercial buildings.
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 98000691, listed June 11, 1998. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 213 W. Main St., Palestine |
|---|---|
| County | Anderson County |
| Listed | June 11, 1998 |
| Reference number | 98000691 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1890 |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian: Romanesque Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently not in use, but in good condition and retaining many original architectural features; alterations are largely limited to the entrance and base. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Palestine New Town Commercial Historic District |
| Coordinates | 31.76248, -95.63297 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 98000691.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q107321106
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.