First National Bank

This building was constructed in 1880 by First National Bank on land owned by Henry Plummer, who was also the president of the bank. As the first bank in Idaho Springs, it was considered to have the most modern equipment and was furnished in a very elegant, Victorian style. The bank offered safety deposit boxes to its customers and had the only burglar-proof vault in Northern Colorado outside of Denver. Bank officers were notable community business leaders such as Dennis Faivre, George McClelland, J. J. Elliott, Thomas Cooper, William Doe and L. Hanchett. According to published reports in the early 1900’s, the bank prospered under the leadership of “men of business ability, tact and integrity, whose moral and financial standing are the highest”.

In 1885, the west half of the building was constructed for Thero and Co., a company specializing in fresh and smoked meats and fish.

First National Bank was not able to survive the Depression. The building was sold over the years and leased to a jewelry store, lawyers and accountants. In 1989, it was purchased by Leo Bradley whose dream was to restore the building to its original purpose as a community bank. The building underwent a complete renovation and in 1996, Clear Creek National Bank opened its doors. The vault, which is one of the most outstanding features of the building, is now lit at night and can be seen through the floor to ceiling windows (topped with double sets of Greek Revival stone pediments) from the street. The original safety deposit boxes were located in a salvage yard and as part of the renovation, were cleaned and reinstalled in the vault. Those safety deposit boxes are again available for use by the bank’s customers.

1546 Miner Street in Idaho Springs, Colorado