National Valley Bank
Also known as: United Virginia Bank; National Valley
Why it's listed
Built in 1903 on West Beverley Street, Staunton's main commercial street, this one-story bank was designed by the local firm T. J. Collins & Son. Its granite, brick and carved limestone facade follows the form of the ancient Roman Arch of Titus, with fluted Corinthian columns flanking a central arched entrance and cartouches bearing the dates 1865 and 1903. Inside, a coffered plaster ceiling made by a Baltimore firm surrounds a large stained-glass skylight. The upper walls, ceiling and skylight remain intact, though the floor and teller cages were changed in later remodelings. The bank was founded in November 1865 by General John Echols, and it grew alongside Staunton during the following decades. The 1903 building cost about $50,000 and used marble, bronze, mahogany and stained glass. It is considered one of Western Virginia's finest Beaux-Arts designs and a showpiece of the bank's success.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as one of Western Virginia's finest examples of Beaux-Arts architecture, modeled on the Roman Arch of Titus. The facade is original, and the upper walls, coffered ceiling and stained-glass skylight of the interior are intact. It also housed Staunton's most notable bank, founded in 1865 by General John Echols.
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 79003301, listed June 19, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 12--14 W. Beverly St., Staunton (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Staunton |
| Listed | June 19, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003301 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1903 |
| Architect / builder | T. J. Collins & Son, Staunton |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Economics, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied and in excellent condition; the interior has been remodeled at least twice, and the facade is described as original. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Beverley Historic District |
| Coordinates | 38.14936, -79.07302 (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 79003301.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16895728
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.