Rhyolyte in Nye County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Cook Bank Building
One of the Most Photographed Ruins in Nevada
The Cook Bank is the most iconic building in Rhyolite and is one of the most photographed ruins in Nevada. John Cook and his brother started the John S. Cook & Company Bank in Goldfield, Nevada in January 1905. Later that same year, they opened a new branch in Rhyolite. The bank's first location was in a rented building on Main Street. After buying this lot on Golden Street, construction of the Cook Bank Building began in the spring of 1907.
One of four banks in Rhyolite, the Cook Bank Building was by far the finest. Built of poured concrete, the building was three stories tall and had a basement that housed the Post Office. The interior was finished with marble staircases and mahogany accents. It also boasted modern conveniences such as electric lights and indoor plumbing.
Despite its opulence, the Cook Bank was open less than two years. In the summer and fall of 1907, a financial crisis, often referred to as the Knickerboxer Crisis, caused banks across the country to go bankrupt. By 1910, the Cook Bank was closed, and John Cook had sold off all the building's fixtures.
Since the closure of the Cook Bank, the building has appeared in many movies, including: The Air Mail, The Arrogant, Cherry 2000, The Island, Delusion, Ramona!, The Reward, Wanderer of the Wasteland, Six-String Samurai, Rough Riders' Round-up, Bone Dry, Ultraviolet, and more.
Erected 2022 by Bureau of Land Management.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.
Location. 36° 54.071′ N, 116° 49.755′ W. Marker is in Rhyolyte, Nevada, in Nye County. Marker is on Rhyolite Road, 1½ miles north of Nevada Route 374, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Beatty NV 89003, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rhyolite Train Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away); Welcome to Rhyolite (approx. ¼ mile away); Tom Kelly Bottle House (approx. ¼ mile away); Rhyolite's District of Shadows (approx. 0.4 miles away); Rhyolite (approx. 0.8 miles away); Titus Canyon Road (approx. 3.1 miles away); 1921 Fordson Tractor (approx. 3.8 miles away); Desert Hills Cemetery (approx. 3.8 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 552 times since then and 258 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 12, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.