THE BUILDING HISTORY

In January of the year 1889, the construction of the new "Merchants Bank" building was complete, and the bank business was moved from its old location at Massachusetts and Ninth Street to the new location at the corner of Massachusetts and Eighth Street. The cost of construction was $13,352. In 1892, a savings bank was organized to operate in the same bank quarters, called the "Merchants Loan and Savings Bank." In 1930, the bank was remodeled. The second floor was eliminated in order to raise the single floor ceiling height to two stories and the name of "The First National Bank of Lawrence" was adopted. The bank remained open at this site until 1970 when the business was moved back to the corner of Ninth and Massachusetts Street. The old bank building was used by various clubs and organizations, including the KU Theater department for many years. In the early 1990's, the Overland Pizza Company renovated the old bank building and opened Teller's Restaurant on July 16, 1992. Gould Evans and Associates was the principal design firm overseeing the renovation.