Security National Bank & Trust Co. in Wheeling
Security Trust Co. purchased a lot located diagonally across Market Street from its circa 1917 building, at 1143 Market, in 1959. The lot, located at 1114-1116 Market Street, was formerly the site of the State Theatre. The old theater was razed in March of 1959 to make way for a new bank building. The new bank was designed by architect A. C. Lanander of Columbus, Ohio and Trenton Construction Company of Wheeling was awarded the general contract for both the demolition of theater and construction of the new bank. Also included in the construction was a drive-through banking facility located on Chapline Street with exits on 11th Street.
From the Wheeling Intelligencer, March 6, 1959 (See news below for link to complete article):
"The Market Street facade of the new banking building will be of marble... Anodized aluminum window frames with one-inch thermopane glass will extend from the sidewalk level to the third floor level... The first flood banking room will have a full-length marble-tiled lobby... flanked with four savings and eight commerical tellers on the left...The basement level will include the personal loan real estate and travel departments flanking a full length lobby... The trust department vault and the safe deposit vaults will also be in the basement... A semi-elliptical balcony effect with floral railing will distinguish the unusual second floor design of the new building Trust department officials and trust department clerical personnel will occupy the second floor area, with the officials located on the open balcony end."
Security Trust Co. moved to the new bank building at 1114-1116 Market Street in May of 1960. In 1962, Security Trust Co. merged with the National Bank of West Virginia to form the Security National Bank & Trust Co., opening at the 1114-1116 Market Street location.
The name of the bank was changed to Bank One, West Virginia in 1993 and the organization was acquired by JP Morgan Chase Bank in 2004. The downtown Market Street location of Chase Bank was closed on August 3, 2017. The building is currently vacant.
Locations
➤ 1114 Market Street
Photographs
Newspaper Articles
➤ Security Trust to Build New Bank at State Theatre Site, Wheeling Intelligencer, Friday, March 6th, 1959, pg. 1 | continued on pg. 14
➤ Theatre to Bow to Progress, Wheeling Intelligencer, Friday, March 6th, 1959, pg. 20
Additional Library Resources
Wheeling Room: non-circulating materials, ask for access at the reference desk.
➤ Vertical File: Wheeling Bank & Banking Historical
Archives & Special Collections: non-circulating materials, please make an appointment to view materials
➤ Security National Bank & Trust Company and National Bank of West Virginia collection, 1907-1990.
