First National Bank- PNC Bank
The First National Bank was founded in 1863 with $383,000 in assets
In 1885, they moved to the ground floor of a building on this site
In 1912 First National Bank merged with Michigan National Bank, which had been founded the same year.
In 1914 decided to build a new bank building and the adjacent building to the east was also acquired.
Following the tradition of the time, sound party (shared) and exterior walls were retained and reclad with new materials.
The building was completed in 1917 and the opening was covered not only in the Kalamazoo Gazette and other papers, but in construction and architecture publications.
“Kalamazoo is very proud of its fine new bank building which now houses the First National Bank. The doors were opened a few days ago and hundreds passed through the impressive and most modern banking rooms. The building is of terra cotta and the Interior walls are of Italian Travennielle Clair marble at their base. Everything necessary to the administration of a modern bank has been incorporated in the First National.”
On the ground floor, the area between the corner of Michigan and Burdick and facing Burdick (now the mall) was divided into four storefronts housing a cigar shop, a candy shop, an insurance office and a bootshop.
In 1927, the bank name changed to First National Bank and Trust
During the depression, the bank closed for a little over a month during the bank holiday in March of 1933.
By 1936 the bank was opening branches all over Kalamazoo County.
In 1943 an addition facing Michigan Avenue added a fourth matched arch to the three original arches.
1963 – the bank celebrates its centennial with $110,000,000 in assets
1978 and 1979 – the exterior of the bank is remodeled with the terra cotta ornament chiseled off and smooth marble slabs cladding the building above a base of black granite. Along with other remodeling costing $260,000
May 13, 1980 – the tornado sweeps through downtown Kalamazoo, killing 5 people and doing $850,000 in damage to the building including blowing off most of the skylight.
1985 – the reflective glass and marble addition ties the building to the west wall of the American National Bank.
