 (2).png)
 (1).jpg)
 (3).png)
Historic Homes
Historic Home Detail | 523
Historic Name
Commercial National Bank
Address
188 N 2nd Avenue
Upland, CA 91786
Evaluation
Building
5/10/2007
Construction Date
1898
Current Owner
Shirley Bangert
Current Owner Address
16407 Colima rd
Upland, CA 91786
Description
Although this building is apparently one of the most historic in Upland, no evidence of its age or earlier appearance can be seen on the exterior. Stucco sheathes the masonry structure and is largely unbroken by window and door openings. The entry is located where historic photographs place it, at the north end of the west elevation. It has been entirely reglazed. The building is tall enough to accommodate two stories, but no second floor windows appear on the facade. RESEARCH NOTES: The Commercial Bank (later the Commercial National Bank) was the first financial institution in Upland. It was organized in 1898 with Colonel James L. Paul, Charles E. Harwood, Peter E. Walline, Charles Ruedy and W.T. Burt elected to the first board of directors. Organizational meetings were held at the Lemon Growers Exchange. Shortly thereafter, John Gerry was given a contract to erect a brick bank, 23 x 45 feet, on the corner lot donated by the Harwood Bros. The original plans were changed to accommodate a second floor space which was to be rented to the Euclid Lodge #68 of the I.O.O.F. W.C. Cline was given the contract for the sidewalks. The bank opened its doors for business on July 19, 1898. Depositors on that first day constituted an "honor rollw of early Uplanders and included Charles D. Adams, J.J. Atwood, Judge George R. Crane, William C. Cline, Dr. William Craig, Charles E. Harwood, Alfred P. Harwood, H.C. Kennedy, Henry ~lindt, Edward C. Harwood, T.E. Ketcheson, John N. Huehn, William Littlewood, E.T. Jordan, and Charles Ruedy. Total deposits equaled $3272.27. The bank initiated a tradition of serving the citrus industry with the opening of the accounts of the North Ontario Fruit Exchange and the Lemon Growers Exchange in November 1898. In 1900 the Ontario Observer was lavish in its praise of the facility. Stating that the building represented a $5000 investment, the article described the granite and pressed brick exterior, Oregon pine interior, oak furnishings, burglar proof vault, and modern conveniences such as electricity and telephones. Late that year an addition to the east end was made, with plans drawn by N.W. Hawkinson, and Dr. O.W. Kankel moved into the upper story office. Another addition was built in 1907 and housed the Citizens Savings Bank and the Magnolia Building and Loan Association. Further modifications in 1915 resulted in the lowering of the floor to the level of the sidewalk and a new mahogany and marble interior. Increased demand for space in 1920 led the Magnolia Mutual office to move across the street to the First National Bank building and a new addition was planned. The new space was reserved for banking uses and the real estate office of Ingalls, Kankel and Grier. An article in the Upland News early in 1922 reported that work at the Commercial National Bank was nearly completed; it is unclear whether it referred to the plans announced in 1920. The Commercial Bank was deeply tied to the history of Upland. It converted from a state chartered institution to a national bank in 1909. Over the years many of Upland's most prominent citizens and members of the citrus industry served on its board of directors or as bank officers. The close relationship to the citrus industry almost proved to be the bank's undoing, taxing its resources to a perilous degree at times. Following the big freeze of 1913, the demands on the bank by growers led to a "bail outw by Henry Eckstein, the Crackerjack executive who had just built a winter home in Upland. Finally, in 1927, the Commercial National Bank and the Citizens Savings Bank were sold to the United Security Bank and Trust Company of San Francisco, in order to secure the capitol required to meet the industry's needs. Subsequent tenants of the structure included the Bank of America and other financial companies. It is not known when the modifications resulting in the present appearance of the building were made.