Former Bank Building in Dekalb, Illinois Demolished

It stood along today's Lincoln Highway through downtown Dekalb for 113 years, but is gone now.

Its demise came about to enlarge and improve a dangerous intersection at 4th Street and the Lincoln Highway. Numerous accidents have occurred at it over the years and trucks especially find it hard to navigate.

demolition started Monday and is expected to continue for three weeks for clearing of debris and reseeding.

Built in 1895, it primarily housed banks since the Dekalb Trust and Savings commenced operations in 1909 according to Dekalb historian Steve Bigolin. It has been vacant for the past seven years.

IDOT purchased the site and will use some of it to enlarge the intersection. The city has purchased 12,100 square feet for $122,000 and intends to redevelop it as a gateway to the old downtown "core" shopping district.

The city has also purchased the adjacent building at 345 East Lincoln Highway and it is being demolished as well.

I'm thinking park for the area. I've seen the building many times and it is nondescript, nothing as impressive as the old post office at the LH and 1st Street where a Walgreens now sits. That was an impressive building.

This has stirred a lot of comments from residents. Thirty-seven so far.

From the November 4th Dekalb Daily Chronicle by Elena Grimm.


THE BUILDING'S HISTORY-- source Steve Bigolin

### 1895-- J.J. Ronen constructed a three-story office building at the northwest corner of 4th Street and Lincoln. Most of the building was occupied by his undertaking business.

### 1909-- Dekalb Trust and Savings Bank opened in a small part of the building. It was the fourth bank in Dekalb at the time.

### 1910-1920-- Remodeled into a two-story building.

### 1965-- Another major remodeling

### 1985-- Dekalb Trust and Savings ceases operations. Other banks occupied it, the last being the National City Bank.

Thanks to Kay Sheldon for alerting me of this.

Life Goes On. --RoadDog