Ness County, Kansas, Bank Postcard

In this photograph, the Ness County Bank looms on the right. You can see the top of the Ness County Courthouse and the water tower on the left. The Ness County Bank, completed in 1890, was known as the Skyscraper of the Plains when it was built. It is one of the "8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture" and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The four-story limestone bank has hand-carved stone arches, rare extruded mortared joints, and the beautiful interior woodwork, according to the Kansas Sampler. Unique features include the four vaults, one of which has oil painting finished in 22 karat gold; brass fixtures with sunflower motif; and an elevator shaft which was rare at the time it was built. Many Civil War veterans who had migrated from the East were the workers and overseers of the arduous tasks associated with constructing this limestone building; such as hand carving and chiseling the stone, as well as the inside woodwork. One single stone brought in for the arches weighed 6,820 pounds. Ox carts brought the rock to town and then block-and-tackle methods were used to set the stones in place. Limestone was ground to make sure the mortar would match the other stones, and the mortared joints are of the extruded type-such a rarity that recently an architect walked the sidewalks for 20 minutes focusing on the mortar. The fully restored building has thirty rooms, 13-foot tin-pressed ceilings, original wainscoting, pocket doors, flooring, fireplaces, and front doors. There are 110 high, arch carved windows. The Ness County Chamber of Commerce and Prairie Mercantile call it home. It's used now as a meeting place and one floor houses an exhibit of Ness County history.