First National Bank
1102 Main

FNB-outside.jpg (317388 bytes)
The First National Bank building at 1102 Main Street,
Goodland, KS was built in 1886 in the town of Eustis.
It was dismantled, loaded on wagons and rebuilt at this
site in 1887.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK
     – the first brick building in Goodland

FNB-cage.jpg (398758 bytes)
C.J. Shimeall, co-founder of First National
Bank in the original teller cage located in
the bank.

 Constructed in 1886 in the town of Eustis, a rival for the County Seat.   When Goodland was elected County Seat in November 1887, this building was dismantled, loaded on wagons and rebuilt at this site on May 21, 1888.

The diagonal entrance was indicative of the era.  Most corner locations on Main Street were the same style.

A two story addition was added at the rear or west end of the building before WWI.  Office space occupied the ground floor and a Gentlemen's Club operated on the second floor for a number of years.

In the early 1930's, extensive remodeling squared off the diagonal front entrance and glass block reduced the windows on the 11th street or the north side.   Around this time another addition was added to the west side extending the building to the alley.

The interior was unique in decor, and though teller's cages were updated and modern equipment was added as the times dictated, the original appointments were untouched throughout the building's history as the financial institution.

Upon entering the east door, customers proceeded on marble flooring to single large area where business was conducted.

Door and window frames were of solid mahogany; solid mahogany wainscoting, rose four feet high on the walls surrounding the room.

Directly to the left of the main entrance a gated privacy fence enclosed the Loan Department and afforded the customary discretion.

 FNB-inside-'64.jpg (432861 bytes)
The bookkeeping department on the south
side of the building behind the tellers cage. President H.R. Shimeall in the lower left
corner of the photo.

The desk of President H.R. Shimeall was located directly across from the loan area in an open and accessible area.

Three teller's cages were on the left in a large enclosed area.   The Bookkeeping department was situated directly behind the teller's in the enclosure.

Another gated enclosure at the west end of the room at right angles to the teller's cages contained the desk of the Head Cashier, R.C. Shimeall.

Two marble walled vaults were located at the back of the main room, the doors facing east.  A short hallway on the north side of the vaults lead to the restrooms.

Another entrance was located on the north wall of the building for access to 11th Street

Shimell.jpg (305120 bytes)
Winifred Kirk, Executive Secretary and H.R. Shimeall, President of First National Bank.

 C.J. Shimeall, one of the founders of the First National Bank, commissioned a huge painting , a copy of the classic "The Gleaners", and it hung on the wall behind the desk of H.R. Shimeall.  This painting now hangs in the Kansas Room of the Goodland Public Library.

The second story of this building was accessed by a steep staircase that housed the office of insurance executive Vern Dyatt.  The east and north windows of this office afforded a clear view of Main Street for over 50 years.

A full basement exists under the 40 foot expanse of the building.   Clean and dry because of the steam heat, gatherings and parties were sometimes held in the area.  The basement was also used as a Civil Defense site and for a Tornado shelter until 1992.

Post WWII banking soon dictated larger and more accessible quarters with appropriate parking and in 1965 the business was moved to the present location at 11th and Broadway.

Because of the historical significance of this building, no effort to raze it will be made.  Some unsightly cosmetic changes to the exterior were removed and the bay windows were added in the 1960's during a Main Street Project.  The original woodwork and marble floors still exist though covered with panel and carpet.

Mvc-011f.jpg (304021 bytes) Other businesses occupied the prominent corner location after the banking business were relocated.  Knott Just Books ...a whole lot more!, formerly The Family Bookstore, now occupies the site.

Presented by: The Sherman County Heritage Preservation Alliance. An organization committed to the Past and Future of Goodland and Sherman County, Kansas.