Lansing in Ingham County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Capital Bank Tower

Photographed by Bill Rieske, May 26, 2017

1. Capital Bank Tower Marker

Inscription. Upon its completion in 1931, the Capital Bank Tower was hailed by newspapers as the tallest building in the state beyond Detroit. Industrialist and Capital Bank president Ranson E. Olds commissioned the three hundred-foot skyscraper, which housed the bank in the four lower floors and office space in the upper stories. To accommodate the building, the city council amended an ordinance that limited buildings to 150 feet. Hopkins and Dentz of New York designed the building. It was a major investment in Lansing by Olds, despite the Great Depression. The May 30, 1931, Lansing Capital News headlined: "New Bank Tower Pledge of Faith: 22-Story Structure Monument of Builder's Belief in Lansing." The original brass elevator doors depict scenes for the life of Ransom Olds.

Erected 2009. (Marker Number L2215.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1931.

Location. 42° 43.961′ N, 84° 33.224′ W. Marker is in Lansing, Michigan, in Ingham County. It is at the intersection of S. Capitol Avenue and S. Capitol Avenue, on the

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left when traveling south on S. Capitol Avenue. Lansing's tallest building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 124 W Allegan St, Lansing MI 48933, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Mid-Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Michigan Sharpshooters (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Federal Savings (within shouting distance of this marker); Freedom Patriotism Humanity (within shouting distance of this marker); Grand Army of the Republic (within shouting distance of this marker); Michigan State Capitol / Michigan's Three Capitols (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Michigan State Capitol (about 400 feet away); Austin Blair (about 400 feet away); Town of Michigan / Lansing (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lansing.

More about this marker.

Capital Bank Tower Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Rieske, May 26, 2017

2. Capital Bank Tower Entrance

Address is W. Allegan, but marker faces S. Capitol.

Additional keywords. R.E. Olds, Hopkins and Dentz

Capital Bank Tower and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Rieske

3. Capital Bank Tower and Marker

Capital Bank Tower Elevator Door image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Rieske, May 26, 2017

4. Capital Bank Tower Elevator Door

Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan. This page has been viewed 597 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 26, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan. 3. submitted on May 23, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan. 4. submitted on May 26, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.