UNION NATIONAL BANK & TRUST CO.
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
Union National Bank & Trust Company, located at 101 E. Chicago Street, has a unique history as it is now the oldest bank in Elgin, opening its doors in 1904. The founder of Union National Bank, Alexander Metzel, had his own signature "bank notes" and prospered in what was known as the Morris Town Block. By 1948, the Bank obtained the right to provide trust services and changed its name to the Union National Bank & Trust Company. One the banks unique innovations was having the area's first drive up window. Unlike we are accustom to today, a teller would work in a small hut that remained under the sidewalk that was then hydraulically lifted to street level to where the customer awaited. These "huts" were given the appropriate name as "Pop Ups."
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
Union National Bank & Trust Company was first located in the massive, three-story Commercial Gothic style building known as the Morris Town Block, built in the 1870s. The bank resided in this building for 56 years until the bank demolished the block building and built the present main office in 1960. A likeness of the Morris Town Block Building can be seen in a mural that is located in the bank's lobby.
The current building is a one-story, mid-century modern, "Freestanding Commercial Building." Typical of mid-century modern buildings, it has clean lines, full height windows along its front facade, and the use of contrasting materials. This architectural style was strongly influenced by the automobile culture.
Sources: 2015 Elgin Downtown Commercial District National Register Nomination; Audio: TextAloud