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Louis Sullivan Jewel Box Bank
Grinnell, Iowa
A few years ago, I drove out to Des Moines, Iowa, and passed a sign that said Louis Sullivan Jewel Box Bank. I couldn’t stop on the way out but made sure to stop on the way home.
Louis Sullivan is one of my favorites. I love the details in his work.
This building is in Grinnell, Iowa. I only spent about 1/2 hour shooting in a little bit of rain and was disappointed that it was closed so I couldn’t go inside to check it out.
The Merchants National Bank is one of eight “jewel-box” banks that were designed by Sullivan. It was built in 1914 and was a bank until 1999.
Now it is home to the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce and Grinnell Visitor Center. What a perfect place for those organizations.
If you are all familiar with Louis Sullivan you’ll recognize the incredible details in his work.
