Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Suhr Bank Building

John Nader, Architect

— 1887 —

Suhr Bank Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, December 2, 2011

1. Suhr Bank Building Marker

Inscription. The Suhr Bank Building is an elegant example of the Italianate style applied to a commercial building. Designed by influential Madison architect John Nader, the building is of regularly coarse sandstone with a projecting cornice featuring pairs of scrolled brackets. The windows are ornamented with sandstone hoods and the main entrance has composite columns and a classical entablature. The building is also significant for its association with John Suhr, a German immigrant who established one of Madison's most successful early banks by serving the local German immigrant population.

Designated April 19, 2005

Erected 2011 by the Madison Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number 165.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin, Madison Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 19, 2005.

Location. 43° 4.487′ N, 89° 22.893′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker is at the intersection of East Main Street and King Street, on the left when traveling west on East Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 King Street, Madison WI 53703, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Philip Schoen Building (within shouting distance

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of this marker); King Street Arcade (within shouting distance of this marker); Madison Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Dick-Eddy Buildings (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fess Hotel (about 400 feet away); Eben and Rosaline Peck (about 400 feet away); Hans Christian Heg (about 400 feet away); Capitol Square has long been the heart of the city (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Regarding Suhr Bank Building. According to the Madison Landmarks Commission, "This flatiron building was designed in the Italianate style at a time when the style was declining in popularity. The architect chose the style so that the building would blend well with its older neighbors. The Suhr Building's main features represent the style's most common expressions, including square window moldings, ogee brackets and symmetry. The original dentils under its cornice are not extant. The building was built for the German Bank, founded in 1887 by German immigrant, John J. Suhr. The bank helped the city remain stable during economic

Photographed By William J. Toman, December 2, 2011

2. Suhr Bank Building Marker

The marker is on the East Main Street side of the building, just to the left of the front door.

downturns such as the Great Depression."

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This is a list of markers for other buildings designed by John Nader, as well as the marker for the later home of the bank (which includes a list of markers for other sandstone buildings).

Photographed By William J. Toman, December 2, 2011

3. Suhr Bank Building Marker

Installation of the marker.

Suhr Bank Building Main Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, December 9, 2011

4. Suhr Bank Building Main Entrance

The "composite columns and a classical entablature" mentioned in the marker.

Suhr Bank Building Window image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, December 9, 2011

5. Suhr Bank Building Window

The sandstone hood ornamentation mentioned in the marker.

Suhr Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, March 14, 2011

6. Suhr Building

The King Street side of the former home of the German American Bank.

Photographed By William J. Toman, March 14, 2011

7. Suhr Building

"Suhr" is carved in stone at the top of the front corner of the building. The "projecting cornice featuring pairs of scrolled brackets" mentioned in the marker is visible here along the roofline.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 743 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 3, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 4, 5. submitted on December 11, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 6, 7. submitted on March 14, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.