OLDE GERMAN BANK

OLDE GERMAN BANK. The building housing the Olde German Bank was the site of the GERMAN BANK. Built in 1901, the building was placed on the NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES in 1978. On October 1, 2001 the building suffered extensive damage from a fire thought to be electrical. (1) In 2002 five buildings along the block including the Olde German Bank received structural damage from the construction of the Fourth Street Parking Ramp. (2) At the time named the Silver Dollar Cantina, the building sat vacant with no renovation. In 2004 it was listed on the Iowa Historical Preservation Alliance's most endangered properties list. (3)

In March 2004 the city cited the property owner with demolition by neglect, but allowed him time to find financing for restoration. (4)

Restoration work began in 2005 through the efforts of John Gronen, owner of GRONEN PROPERTIES/GRONEN RESTORATION. (5) The Silver Dollar Cantina reopened in 2008. In 2009 the project was a finalist for two 2009 J. Timothy Anderson Awards for Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation by the National Housing and Rehabilitation Association.

The 1980 through 1985 Dubuque City Directory listed 342 Main.

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Source:

1. "Electrical Failure Blamed in Fire," Cedar Rapids Gazette, November 10, 2001, p. 1

2. Coyle, Erin. "Engineer Back to Drawing Board to Save Building; Old German Bank: Cracks are Spreading," Telegraph Herald, October 18, 2002. Online: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-11068108.html

3. "City Officials Need to Hold the Owner to His Plans to Fix This Historic Building," Telegraph Herald Editorial, May 17, 2004, p. A4

4. Kittle, M. D., "Legal Action Has Been Postponed to May 20 on the Property Damaged by Fire in 2001," Telegraph Herald, May 10, 2004, p. 1A

5. "Consultant: Fire-Damaged Nightspot Will Be Back," Telegraph Herald, May 11, 2005, p. 1A