Ruston State Bank |
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Ruston State Bank |
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The actual building itself is a two-story, masonry structure decorated in the Beaux Arts style. It is located near the center of a party-wall block and faces a busy thoroughfare in downtown Ruston. Significant alterations include the loss of most of the interior and a 1955 expansion which took in a former store connecting to the bank on the north side. However the Beaux Arts facade remains intact from the original building and construction.
Even though Ruston was founded in 1883, most of the buildings in its commercial district date from the early twentieth century. With the exception of a few late Italianate style business houses, the city's French style Federal Building, a late gothic Revival style church and two structures in the Modern style, most of these buildings are block-like one and two story party-wall structures of plain utilitarian design. Many are distinguished by nothing more than slightly corbeled cornices. Against this background, the monumental Ruston State Bank stands as a visual landmark. With its set of paired monumental pilasters, its coffered barrel vault, and its highly articulated pediment and tympanum, the bank is clearly the most elaborately styled structure in the downtown area.
Ruston State Bank was first organized by:
J.J. Booles
E. L. Kidd
E. S. Kidd
W. A. J. Lewis
J. M. Smith
O.M. Wright
The original officers of the bank were:
President.......Dr. J.J. Booles
V. President...L.M. Kidd
Cashier.........A. H. Mayfield
Directors.......J. J. Booles, L.M. Kidd, R. M Hardy, J. W. Williams,
.....................J. I. Kidd, H. W. Smith, J. M. Smith, T. C. Standifer & J.O. Colvin
Past bank presidents were:
Dr. Booles 1890-1908
H. W. Smith 1915-1925
D.M. Atkins 1925
Capt. E. L. Kidd (Acting) Jan - March 1926
F. H. Tarver 1926-1955
J.P. Grahm 1956
Howard H. Smith 1957-1968
William A. Marbury Jr. 1969-?
The information for this site was provided by the
Division of Historic Preservation, Louisiana. Without their
assistance this page would not have been possible. If you have any
other information about this place please email me:
David A Lewis.