The Bellingham National Bank Building was originally built from 1912 to 1913. It was constructed in a utilitarian commercial style with reinforced concrete. Even though this particular style was common for cities in the midwest and east coast, the building style was a stark contrast for Bellingham's sandstone and rounded arch buildings. The Bellingham National Bank occupied the building starting on December 1, 1913.Key Bank of Washington occupied the first floor until May 8, 2009. Starting in February 2011, The Stamp & Coin Place, a local bullion and coin trading shop, will occupy the space. The upper-offices are leased to various businesses and government offices, including the Washington State Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals and the Washington State Attorney General's Office.HistoryThe bankThe Bellingham National Bank was formed in 1904 by a group of local capitalists led by Victor Roeder. It opened for business on January 3, 1905 in the corner store-room of the Clover Block on the corner of Holly and Commercial Streets. The small bank soon grew to become one of the most prominent banks in Bellingham and began searching for larger quarters by the end of the decade.In March 1912, the bank purchased the Southeast corner of Dock and Holly Streets for $175,000. The site was occupied by several wooden buildings dating to the late 19th century including the Beck Hotel, built on the corner in 1888 by David Beck who would later build the adjoining theater. The parameters of the property were described in the local paper:The bank announced their plans to build a $200,000, 6 story brick and concrete building on the lot that would be one of the finest in the Northwest. The bank would occupy the ground floor corner of the building, a frontage of about 50 feet on Holly, while the rest of the building would contain offices above and retail stores on the ground floor. Demolition and then construction would begin by June of the same year.
