National Register Listing

State National Bank Building

a.k.a. State National Building

412 Main St., Houston, TX

The State National Bank Building is historically and architecturally significant, in that it was an early commercial building by one of the Southwest's most respected early 20th century architects, Alfred C. Finn, and is one of the few surviving Neo-Classical skyscrapers in the city of Houston. Much of its rich Beaux Arts detailing has survived, and missing elements are being reconstructed as nearly as possible. The preservation of such landmarks is a difficult task in Houston because most older buildings are summarily demolished to make way for the new. The State National Bank Building is one of the few remaining significant buildings in Houston that can demonstrate the importance and feasibility of historic renovation.

The State National Bank was established in 1915 as the State Bank and Trust Company with under $500,000 in resources. John A. Williams was President and Horace M. Wilkins was Vice-President. The bank operated under that name until 1946 when it was merged with the First National Bank. In 1920, the bank became a member of the Federal Reserve System, and in 1921 relinquished its state charter and became a national bank. It became the first national bank in Texas to receive a Federal Reserve Board Permit to operate a trust department.
Construction of the building began in 1922, under a construction contract with American Construction Company. The building was completed in mid-1923 at a cost of $500,000.00.

The lot area is 4,723 sq. ft. and was valued in 1923 at $270,000.00. When the building was complete, it rapidly filled with tenants and remained fully occupied until the merger in 1946 when the bank vacated the building. The bank had installed a comparatively new feature, in locating the cash vault, coin vault, book vault, silver vault, and safety deposit in the basement. In the words of the Houston Post, September 4, 1922, "...also located in the basement are the heating plant, boilers and machinery for the ventilating system, thereby all air admitted to the bank's quarters will be washed and cooled, thus freeing it from street dust and contributing to the comfort of both customers and employees." Also provided in the basement was a conference room, which was offered free of charge to customers of the bank and tenants of the building, as well as to civic and businessmen in the vicinity. The bank grew rapidly in deposits and capitalization, and in 1940, at the bank's twenty-fifth anniversary, had resources in excess of $11,000,000. This growth and success was due to a unique policy of 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. banking hours and to the Bank's claim of being the originator of services devoted to the financial interests of persons of moderate means. The building was erected during a boom period for Houston's downtown. From 1920 to 1923, several notable buildings were built in proximity to the State National Bank Building. The largest of these new buildings was the 16-story Cotton Exchange Building at Prairie and Caroline. Other buildings erected nearby included the Walker Furniture Building at Milam and Rusk, the 10-story Electric Building at Fannin and Walker (built as headquarters for the Houston Electric Company), the 10-story Banker's Mortgage Building at Texas and San Jacinto, and the First National Bank at Franklin and Fannin. Construction of these buildings occurred at the height of a national real estate slump. While national building permits and construction value decreased 10 percent from May 1922 to May 1923, Houston's building values showed a 61 percent increase.

In 1947, the bank building was vacant on the first and mezzanine floors and was sold to Huster and Wise, Inc., real estate brokers, as trustees for a corporation formed by William Zeckendorf of New York. The total price paid for the State National Bank Building and adjoining buildings on either side was $720,000.00. The original stone facade of the building was removed in 1948, and re-faced with smooth Indiana limestone. Other modifications made during these renovations included the removal of much of the bank equipment from the first floor and a new storefront entry for a retail tenant in the banking lobby. The mezzanine was closed, the two-story space filled in, and the skylights were removed. A new metal canopy was built over the retail space entrance, and new metal doors were added. During the past 20 years while downtown Houston was deteriorating, so did the State National Building. Fortunately, in the past three or four years, there has been a resurgence of spirit downtown and signs of restoration and renovation are apparent everywhere in this rejuvenating area. In 1981, the present owners had the limestone facade removed and measures were initiated to vacate the entire building so that restoration to its original appearance and character could commence. The Architect for the State National Bank Building was Alfred C. Finn (1883-1964), a Texas-born Architect who apprenticed with Sanguinet and Staats in Fort Worth from 1904 to 1913. In 1915, Finn began an independent practice in Houston which grew into a notable and important Texas firm, best known for it's commercial buildings. He became the principal Architect for Jesse H. Jones (Houston real estate entrepreneur, philanthropist, and United States Secretary of Commerce under Franklin D. Roosevelt). Finn's work is primarily in Houston, Dallas, and New York City. Among his most notable buildings still existing are the Ross Sterling House (1916), Fondren House (1923), St. Paul's Methodist Church (1927-30), Gulf Building (1929), and the San Jacinto Monument and Museum (1939). Finn's Jones-Hunt House (1921), located on Courtlandt Place, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Local significance of the building:
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1982.