Old State Bank, Prairie Belt Travel Guide

The Old State Bank, located in Decatur, Alabama, is a tangible link to the state's early banking history and a resilient symbol of the city's past. Completed in 1833, the building originally housed the Tennessee Valley branch of the Bank of the State of Alabama. Its architecture reflects the Federal Empire period, popular in the 1830s, with notable features like the grand Doric columns at the entrance.After the bank's failure in 1845, the building took on various roles, each adding to its rich history. During the Civil War, it served as a hospital for Union soldiers, remarkably surviving the town's destruction. It later housed the First National Bank of Decatur and even served as a boarding house.Today, the Old State Bank serves as a museum, preserving and showcasing the history of banking in Alabama and the stories of the people who shaped Decatur. Visitors can explore the original banking floor, complete with its walk-in vault and a replica of the teller's cage. The second floor features an apartment area furnished with antiques from the 1830s, offering a glimpse into early Tennessee Valley life. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.