Officials want to save Old State Bank from decay

DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) – Old State Bank stands as a reminder of the deep history of the city of Decatur.

But the foundation of the historic structure is in ruin.

The oldest bank building in Alabama is turning 191 years old this year.

The bank opened in July of 1833. The bank was originally one of four branches of the Bank of Alabama.

“It is one of only three standing buildings that escaped destruction during the Civil War which makes it very unique,” said Caroline Swope, Historic Preservation Specialist for Decatur.

The building went through a series of owners before the city took over in the 1970s. It had been opened to the public as a museum but was shut down six months ago due to its aging foundation.

Last year, city leaders brought in an architecture firm to conduct a historic building’s structure report and found that the building would need substantial intervention according to Swope.

“The building was not designed to hold public assemblies so it doesn’t meet the load-carrying capacity that would be required to have large assembly groups because it wasn’t designed to hold that,” Swope explained.

The city received state funding to make some of the repairs but is now requesting federal funds. The estimated costs for repairs according to Swope could range in upwards of $5 million dollars.

“Really it is a portal back into not just one world but multiple worlds which is really wonderful about historic buildings and how we get to interact with them,” said Swope.

Decatur city council voted on Monday to accept a $575,000 state appropriation to restore the bank.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.