Bloomington Township in Monroe County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The First National Bank Building
Fountain Square Mall
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, June 19, 2025
1. The First National Bank Building Marker
Built: 1907
Renovated: 1988 by CFC, Inc., A Cook Group Company
"The First National Bank Building"
121-123-125 West Kirkwood Avenue
The original building constructed on this site housed the First National Bank. In 1906, this building was torn down to make way for a new limestone structure for the First National Bank.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.
Location. 39° 9.988′ N, 86° 32.077′ W. Marker is in Bloomington, Indiana, in Monroe County. It is in Bloomington Township. It is at the intersection of West Kirkwood Avenue and South College Avenue, on the right when traveling east on West Kirkwood Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 W Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington IN 47404, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. 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: The Mobley-Buskirk-Hill Building (a few steps from this marker); The Buskirk-Hill Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Allen Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Warren Henegar (within shouting distance of this marker); 107 West Kirkwood Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker);
this page online
Also see . . . The Story Behind Fountain Square. Fountain Square Mall A history of the project to restore the buildings that make up Fountain Square Mall.
Over the course of four years the planning, renovating, and reconstructing, CFC managed to merge the remaining ten individual buildings into one. On September 10, 1988, CFC Properties fill the downtown square with spectators for the grand opening of the newly constructed 130,000 square feet announced as Fountain Square Mall. Herman B. Wells, Indiana University Chancellor, said that the renovation was "A remarkable achievement...none of this could have happened without the leadership and inspiration of Bill and Gayle Cook." Today, Fountain Square Mall, now known as just Fountain Square, encompasses many businesses and service providers who continue to help enrich the downtown revitalization success story.(Submitted on July 10, 2025, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana.)
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, June 19, 2025
2. The First National Bank Building Marker in context
Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2025, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 145 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 29, 2025, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
