The Manufacturer's National Bank of Neenah

•  On the evening of November 28, 1881, there was a meeting at the Russell House in Neenah the purpose of which was to form a new bank.  By the end of the gathering the new bank had a name and board of directors.  It was to be called The Manufacturer’s National Bank of Neenah and the board was made up of Hiram Smith, D. C. Van Ostrand, Henry Sherry, F. C. Shattuck, Alex Billstein, S. M. Hay and Charles Schreiber.  The bank soon set up shop at 109 W. Wisconsin Avenue in the former photographic studio of C. B. Manville.  

The location seemed to work well but by 1902 a remodeling was needed.  The Neenah Times of July 12, 1902, reported that Wm. Waters had been commissioned to plan the work.  A new façade of Bedford stone was called for as well as extensive interior work.   The October 12,1902, issue of the Neenah Times featured an article announcing the completion of the job, which had a copy of architect Waters’ front elevation.  Since about 1900 Mr. Waters started designing buildings in the Neo-Classical style, the public library in Oshkosh is a great example.  The front elevation of the Manufactures National bank shows a near textbook drawing of Greco-Roman architecture replete with ionic capitals on the two columns.   Interior improvements were made as well, such as a new tile floor.  By the early 1920’s a larger building was needed, the site of the Russell House was acquired, and the new bank opened in June of 1923.  The former bank building still stands on W. Wisconsin Avenue and is in use.