State Bank Silverhill

The State Bank of Silverhill is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A, Commerce and Government, for the role the structure played in providing services to the residents of the Silverhill Community.

The State Bank of Silverhill is eligible under Criterion C, Architecture. This structure, constructed in 1927 as a community financial and business center, is an excellent and intact example of an early 20* century masonry structure constructed in a vernacular style combining elements of Classical Revival and Craftsman. The unique construction system of combining hollow terra cotta tile with brick veneer exterior and plaster interior was new during this period of building construction. With the exception of the roof system, the building was essentially “fireproof” Within the local context of Silverhill, this building represents one of the highest style vernacular buildings and one of a few commercial buildings in the community.

Baldwin County, Alabama was created by the Mississippi Territorial Legislature in 1809, and was the third county formed in the State, and covers approximately 1,585 square miles. The economy of the county is primarily from agrarian resources, with Suit, grains and cotton being the largest commodity crops. At the turn of the 20th century, the number of farms in the county totaled 1,818, with the average farm land size around 20-50 acres. The community of Silverhill was founded in 1897. The Silverhill Post Office was established two years later, in 1899. In 1926, the community incorporated and became the Town of Silverhill. The population of Silverhill has continued to grow at a rather slow pace, as shown in the U.S. Census records. In 1930, Silverhill had 314 residents.

The 1990 Census revealed that the population had increased to 556, just slightly under 100 percent. The only decline in population occurred between 1930 and 1940, when the population dropped by 44 residents. This decrease in population can be attributed to the Great Depression, when tenant farmers abandoned farming for lucrative work in larger cities with industrial economies.

In December 1923, the State Bank of Silverhill received permission, authorized by A.E. Jackson, Superintendent of State Banks, to “engage in the banking business.” 25 Baldwin County residents pooled their resources and raised the initial deposit of $10,000. Contributions ranged from $100 - $1,000 dollars, and each $100 deposited was equal to one share of common stock in the new bank. The Board of Directors consisted of five founding members: Oscar Johnson, O.F.E. Winberg, Charles Gustafson, Charles Lyrene and Peter Foresman. The first officers of the State Bank of Silverhill were: Oscar Johnson, President; Charles Lyrene, Vice President; and Peter Foresman, Cashier. The Articles of Incorporation were approved by the Superintendent of State Banks in April 1924, and Permission to Begin Business was issued from Superintendent A.E. Jackson the following May .

The property on which the Bank was constructed was purchased by the State Bank of Silverhill from Emanuel J. Havel and wife, and Karel Siegler and wife, in 1924. Construction of the new edifice for the State Bank of Silverhill was completed the following year in 1925. The rear portion of the building was occupied by the Silverhill Branch of the United States Post Office from 1925 until 1933.Oral tradition recounts that the space on the second floor was occupied by an insurance agency.

Deteriorating economic conditions forced the bank to close in 1933, leaving a majority of the Silverhill residents in financial ruin.Oral tradition also recounts that every resident of the community had an investment in the State Bank.

In 1935, A.E. Jackson, again acting as Superintendent of State Banks, sold the property to a family, who converted the bank space into a grocery store. The most significant change to the structure was at this time, when the new owners added the shed addition to accommodate feed and seed supplies and storage. The shed addition was originally constructed with a garage-type door facing Broad Street to accommodate deliveries. The post office area was converted into a chicken hatchery. Upstairs became the living quarters for the parents and six children. The building operated as a grocery store into the 1970s. Over the following years the building had several owners with various uses, the last as an auto parts store and mechanics garage. The property was purchased by the current owner in 2000 from the Silverhill Baptist Church. The current owner plans to take advantage of the Historic Preservation Tax Credit and rehabilitate the structure for use as a specialty store with living quarters upstairs.