This structure was originally part of a busy row of commercial buildings, all of which are now gone. It’s the most significant historic building remaining in Rentz. The Bank of Rentz was established in 1910 but was not successful. Its assets were absorbed by the newly formed Rentz Banking Company in 1914. It became a branch of C&S Bank in 1974 and remained open in this location until circa 1994.
The Classical Revival Sylvester Banking Company building has served for many years as the city hall and was recently restored.
Sylvester Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
It’s unknown who the original tenant of this exemplary Classical structure was, but in 1948 it became home to the Pulaski Banking Company. Most likely, judging by the architecture, it originated as another bank.
Hawkinsville Commercial and Industrial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Located in the old Hinesville Bank building, Zum Rosenhof is an authentic German restaurant and grocery that’s been a downtown favorite for many years.
The Citizens Bank is one of the finest structures in the downtown historic district, defined by its narrow Neoclassical Revival facade. Many banks of the early 20th century embraced this style. Most examples are clad in marble or limestone. I believe this one is limestone.
Cairo Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This structure, which now serves as the city hall for Junction City, was built circa 1907 as the Farmers & Merchants Bank. It is a brick structure which at some point was sided with stucco. Junction City was incorporated in 1906.
Meansville is purportedly named for John William Means (20 June 1812-28 February 1896), who migrated to the area from the Carolinas. I’m not sure when he arrived in Pike County, but he married Nancy B. McGinty here on 26 September 1833. Interestingly, his obituary does not make note of his being the namesake of the community; it does state that he was one of Pike County’s oldest and most respected citizens.
The town was not incorporated until 1913.
The Penny Savings Loan and Investment Company was formed by a group of Augusta’s leading Black businessmen in 1910. This structure, based on designs by architect G. Lloyd Preacher, was built in 1925. An anchor of the Black business district known as the “Golden Blocks”, it closed its doors in 1928 as a result of economic woes and the looming Great Depression. Though stable, the structure has been long abandoned and attempts at rehabilitation have not materialized.
Laney-Walker North Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Though it hardly fits the bill today, the Georgian Revival Davis-Exchange Bank Building was touted as Albany’s first “skyscraper” when completed in 1920, and is still the most prominent commercial building downtown. It was built to replace the old Exchange National Bank which had burned, and housed other businesses, as well. The architect, J. Edwin R. Carpenter, was quite successful, and was called the father of the modern apartment building in New York City, where he focused his practice. He was an early practitioner and proponent of vertical design.
National Register of Historic Places
These detail shots of the old First National Bank of Sparta illustrate the pride small towns took in their commercial architecture at the turn of the last century. First National Bank was established in late 1903 and dissolved by 1923.
Sparta Historic District, National Register of Historic Places