North Branch in Lapeer County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Pioneer Bank

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 18, 2021

1. Pioneer Bank Marker

Inscription. Pioneer Bank was founded in 1885 as a state bank, and reorganized in 1889. President Frederick Howard, Vice President Albert Sholes and Cashier Charles W. Ballard were bank officers. In 1903 this lot was purchased from Sholes, and soon after the board selected Bay City architects Clark & Munger to design new offices. A bank was partially constructed, but it burned before completion. The present classical-inspired structure replaced the original and opened in 1906. In 1982 the bank was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected 1991 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L752.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission, and the National Register of Historic Places series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 43° 13.761′ N, 83° 11.681′ W. Marker is in North Branch, Michigan, in Lapeer County. Marker is at the intersection of Huron Street (Michigan Route 90) and Saginaw Street, on the right when traveling east on Huron Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4046 Huron St, North Branch MI 48461, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow

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flies. Daniel Orr Sons (within shouting distance of this marker); North Branch Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. Patrick's Church (approx. 6.3 miles away); Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad Depot (approx. 8.7 miles away); Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 8.8 miles away); The Marlette District Library (approx. 8.8 miles away); Brown City Community Schools (approx. 10.3 miles away); Lapeer County (approx. 13.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in North Branch.

Also see . . . Pioneer State Bank No. 36 National Register of Historic Places—Nomination Form. "The Pioneer Bank of North Branch, Michigan stands as the oldest banking institution in the village. Because the bank's establishment was a direct result of lumber industry expansion into northern Lapeer County during the last quarter of the nineteenth century, the building is associated with an event significant to the history of both North Branch and Lapeer County. Frederick C. Ballard, a prominent local investor and financier, helped establish and expand the Pioneer Bank. Thus, the building is associated with a person important to the history and early development of the community in which it stands. Lastly, the bank is a fine vernacular interpretation of Second Renaissance Reviva1

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 18, 2021

2. Pioneer Bank Marker

styling created by the regionally prominent Bay City architectural firm of Dillon P. Clark and Alverton G. Munger. Thus, the Pioneer Bank also is significant to the architectural heritage of mid-Michigan. (Submitted on October 13, 2023, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Pioneer Bank and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 26, 2023

3. Pioneer Bank and Marker

Pioneer Bank Clock image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 18, 2021

4. Pioneer Bank Clock

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 99 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 18, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 3. submitted on October 13, 2023, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 4. submitted on August 18, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.