New Cleveland Trust Building – October 8, 1926

The streetscape of Downtown Lorain has changed dramatically over the years, thanks to the well-known 1924 tornado, as well as the urban renewal project that laid waste to many buildings in the early 1970s.

That's why it's always nice to see a 1920s photograph of a building that's still there.

In this case, the building was the home of the Cleveland Trust Company. The article above, which appeared in the Lorain Times-Herald back on October 8, 1926, celebrates the opening of the new building, which replaced the one destroyed in the tornado.

As the article notes, "Another milestone in Lorain's progress will have been reached Saturday, with the opening of the new $150,000 home of the local branch of the Cleveland Trust company, Broadway at Fourth-st.

"The structure, modern in every respect, replaces the former home of the bank, destroyed in the tornado, which swept the city in 1924.

As the article observes, the business had outgrown its quarters, and rather than repair the old building wrecked by the tornado, the decision was made to construct an entirely new building.

"It is faced with Ohio sandstone," the article describes. "Two huge columns flanking the bronze door are three feet four inches in diameter and 28 feet high.

"The interior of the bank is finished in Botticino marble.

"Sixteen tellers' cages are provided for the convenience of customers."

Of course, with the popularity of online banking, banks today rarely have more than a few windows open for those customers (like me) that prefer to bank in person.

Anyway, the stately building hasn't changed too much over the years. It still looks great and adds a touch of class to Downtown Lorain.