Reflections: Looking back at Sumter's 'skyscraper'
Reflections notes that the building commenced on March 1, 1911, and the first floor was to be occupied by the City National Bank. The data and photos used to prepare this piece were obtained from The Item archives.
"A seven-story building is to be erected on the northeast corner of Main and Liberty streets at a cost of $10,000 to $60,000; completion is expected in eight months' time; bids to be called for about Jan. 10; Wheeler & Stern of Charlotte, N.C., architects. Sumter investors plan to build a modern 'skyscraper,' costing from $45,000 to $60,000. This steel frame, fireproof building will be known as The City National Bank, formerly known as the Sumter Savings Bank, and will be located on the northeast corner of Main and Liberty streets.
"The announcement to this effect was made Monday by Mr. G.A. Lemmon, president of the Sumter Savings Bank, following a full meeting of the board of directors. The building will be seven stories high and will be known as the City National Bank. It will have all modern fixtures and improvements but will be a plain, substantial building, no attempts being made to decorate it. The foundation of the building will consist of granite and the first story of sandstone, which was used in the construction of the post office. The remaining stories will consist of pressed brick. The architects for the new building are Wheeler and Stern of Charlotte, who have drawn plans and let bids. The final contracts will be completed sometime around Jan. 10. It is expected that the building will be completed within eight months after March 1 when the work is scheduled to commence.
"Several months ago, the Sumter Savings Bank spent $25,000 for a lot 35x68 on the corner of Main and Liberty street. There were some in the city who thought that the bank was paying an exorbitant price for real estate as $714.29 a front foot was an unheard price for 'Gamecock' city dirt. The directors of the bank knew full well what they were doing at the time. They purchased a lot, which proved to be one of the most desirable ones in the city. The lot was located on the corner of Main and Liberty streets, which are the two main thoroughfares of the town. They finally agreed upon a plan for construction of a seven-story building with the ground floor being occupied by the bank itself. There would be eight offices on each of the six floors, which would be leased for a moderate rental fee that included heat, water and janitor service furnished to those who rent these offices.
"Plans for the building have been completed, but certain additions have yet to be made before they meet the requirements of the board of directors. After the bids are released, it is expected that construction on the building will commence the first of March. The contract will call for the building to be completed in eight months after work begins. It is anticipated that by the first of November 1912, the City National Bank will have its new quarters ready for occupancy. The directors of the bank think that the offices in the building will be occupied even before the building is completely finished and equipped.
"The current building on the corner, now occupied by the Sumter Hardware Company and McCormack's Jewelry Store, will be completely demolished and removed to make way for the solid granite foundation of the new building. The City National Bank Building will be a tall and imposing edifice that will tower over the buildings that surround it. In this new brick and stone building, everything will be fitted out in the latest and most modern way. Electric elevators will carry the occupants of the various floors to and from their offices to the streets. The building will be heated throughout by steam heat, which comes from the furnace down in the cellar. No one in the building will have to worry about coal and other cold weather necessities. Large water pipes will run through the building, and water will always be at hand for those who desire it. Everything will be as conveniently arranged as the ingenuity of the architects and contractors can make it; these innovations will prove to be quite an addition to Sumter's valuable real estate market and prove to be a good advertisement of the city's recent progress and development.
"The Sumter Savings Bank will continue doing business at the old location while its new quarters are being completed. The name, however, will change because a petition was made to the United States treasury officials that the bank be granted a national bank charter. This petition was granted, and another petition to the Secretary of State requesting that the name of the bank be changed was also granted. After Jan. 15, the name of the bank will become The City National Bank, Sumter's second national bank.
"Sumter has always remained on the front lines of progress, and the fact that there will be a seven-story 'skyscraper' in the Gamecock city shows that she is determined to keep abreast of the times, even with cities that are larger and more prosperous."