Farmers & Merchants Union Bank
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Banks
About Us
Opened in September 1861 by John R. Wheeler, the Union Bank, later renamed Farmers & Merchants Union Bank, began general banking business on James Street in downtown Columbus.
Expansion began in 1919 when famed architect Louis Sullivan began construction on the Farmers & Merchants Union Bank building in downtown Columbus. Sullivan’s masterpiece, commonly known, as his “Jewel Box” became a showpiece for the small town of Columbus and made the National Historical Registry in 1972. The Jewel Box bank was designated a National Historic Landmark (the highest designation of all historic places in 1983.)
The beautifully ornamented Columbus bank, known as the Farmers & Merchants Union Bank, would be the last of eight small community banks Louis Sullivan completed. These eight banks would later become known as Sullivan’s ‘Jewel Boxes.’ Our bank is one of only two to be operating as a bank today. Meticulously maintained, this historic landmark is open for tours!
Farmers & Merchants Union Bank has grown over the last 150+ years to include eight locations throughout Columbus, Fall River, Friesland, Juneau, Janesville, Rio, Lodi and Sauk City.
