Maplewood History: First in the Midwest…Drive In Banking

By
Doug Houser
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3
335
Those are some pretty snazzy Chevrolets in this photo most likely taken for the 1949 opening of the ultra modern facility.

My apologies for the long absence.  My laptop had become possessed and it took me awhile to find an exorcist who could free its mind.  It has been thinking on its own now for several hours so I’ll get this blog post out as fast as possible.  If the exorcist has indeed succeeded in his task I’ll provide his contact info at a later date.

This post is an answer to a question asked by Councilman Barry Greenberg in a comment about a photo I had run in an earlier post.  I encourage anyone with questions to ask them.  If I have enough information I’ll answer them in a post.  I try to respond to everyone who contacts me.

If I remember correctly Barry asked about the International Style building seen in the background of this photo.
If I remember correctly Barry asked about the International Style building seen in the background of this photo.
The building in question is the very fine mid-century modern drive up facility of Citizen's Bank.
The building in question was the very fine mid-century modern drive in facility belonging to Citizen’s National Bank.
Those are some pretty snazzy Chevrolets in this photo most likely taken for the 1949 opening of the ultra modern facility.
Those are a couple of pretty snazzy Chevrolets in this photo which was most likely taken for the 1949 opening of the ultra modern facility.
Quite a contrast between the new facility and the orignal 1915 bank building now sporting a wonderful neon sign advertising the dirve up.
Quite a contrast between the new facility and the original 1915 bank building now sporting a wonderful neon sign advertising the Drive In Banking.
Seen here from the air.
Seen here from the air about 1965.
An advertisement from 1967.
An advertisement from 1967.
By 1967, when this photo was taken, Golde's,destroyed by fire in 1966, had not yet been replaced. Citizen's Bank had greatly expanded their building displacing western Auto and absorbing the drive in banking facility as well.
By 1967, when this photo was taken, Golde’s,destroyed by fire in 1966, had not yet been replaced. Citizen’s Bank had greatly expanded their building displacing Western Auto and absorbing the drive in banking facility as well.  Much thanks for the images to Dan Walper of Citizen’s National Bank and the Maplewood Public Library.

3 COMMENTS

  3. Great info and pics! We love living here in Maplewood (moved here in June). Maplewood feels like a small town with great: shops, restaurants, city services, venues, neighbors and neighborhoods and what a great location!

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