Columbia in Monroe County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
First National Bank
102 S Main St
| — | Historic Main Street | — |
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 12, 2026
1. First National Bank Marker
Built in early 1900, this was the first location of the First National Bank in Columbia. It still has security bars on the windows and houses the original brick bank vault. Main Street and Legion Avenue was long recognized as the center of town and was the original site for Columbia's pressed copper sculpture of the Spirit of the American Doughboy (now located at 375 E. Locust) designed to honor our local veterans of war. A four sided clock was also located at this intersection. In 1820, a limestone marker was erected on Main Street to mark the center of town and the demarcation of North and South Main Streets. It was struck by a car in the 1960s, broke off at its base, and was replaced with a replica of the original in 2020.
Erected by Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail; Columbia, Illinois.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 38° 26.579′ N, 90° 11.987′ W. Marker is in Columbia, Illinois, in Monroe County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street and East Legion Street, on the right
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Arlington Hotel & Saloon (a few steps from this marker); Masonic Lodge & State Theater (a few steps from this marker); Vogt Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Schneider House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rose's Drug Store (about 300 feet away); Columbia Star Printing Co (about 300 feet away); Tunze Saloon (about 300 feet away); The Miller-Fiege House (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.
Another
Photographed by Thomas Smith, October 25, 2021
2. First National Bank Marker
Photographed by Thomas Smith, October 25, 2021
3. Center of Town signage nearby
Photographed by Thomas Smith, October 25, 2021
4. First National Bank Marker
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 12, 2026
5. supplemental plaque
mounted to the building
Credits. This page was last revised on September 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 324 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 12, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 25, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. 5. submitted on September 12, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
