Blair in Washington County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Blair State Bank Bldg.
1881
| | Washington County Heritage Trail | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 16, 2025
1. Blair State Bank Bldg. Marker
This building is one of the earliest brick structures on main street, built in 1881 by J.H. Hungate, an early Blair pioneer and the town's first mayor. The bricks were manufactured in DeSoto and hauled by team and wagon to Blair.
Hungate built the structure to house the Blair State Bank (of which he was Director) on the main level, lease offices on the second level, and have a bath and barbershop in the lower level. The bank changed names several times, then in 1927 when bank failures were common, the bank closed. The bath and barbershop closed in 1932.
The building sold to Ed Mattiesen in 1935. It was remodeled, partitioned, and rented as offices. Attorney Walter Huber rented here for 36 years, eventually buying the building in 1964. He sandblasted the darkened and streaked bricks and updated the interior lighting and plumbing. Several of the original components are still in place, including trim, woodwork, and doors.
Erected 2023.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.
Location. 41° 32.631′ N, 96° 8.153′ W. Marker is in Blair, Nebraska, in Washington County. It is at the intersection of Washington Street (Lincoln Highway)
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska and in Greater Omaha. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and on the prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pilot Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Blair City Hall and Fire Hall (about 400 feet away); Blair Firehouse (about 400 feet away); Congregational Church of Blair (approx. 0.2 miles away); Blair Depot 1880 (approx. Ό mile away); Central School 1899 (approx. Ό mile away); Washington County Courthouse 1891 (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blair.
Also see . . . Blair State Bank Building (Blair Historic Preservation Alliance).
Excerpt: In 1881, news came to Blair that the a railroad bridge was to be built over the Missouri River connecting the tracks through Blair and the line to the North & East. This started a 10-year period building two and three story brick structures through at the town.(Submitted on November 22, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Over the years, the bank building was also used as the offices for the Enterprise Newspaper, dentist office and a barber. It was also knownas Mathiesen Building and the Huber Building.
2. Marker detail: Under construction in 1881
3. Marker detail: Blair State Bank Building
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 16, 2025
4. Blair State Bank Bldg. Marker
The marker is mounted near the southwest corner of the building, just to the right of the corner entrance.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 16, 2025
5. Blair State Bank Building (southwest elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 22, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
