Architectural Styles - Essay Example

Architectural Styles: Terre Haute, Indiana Branch of the Bank of Indiana Introduction While in many contexts architecture simply functions as ameans of designing a home or building, in other areas it takes on new and important meanings. In this way one considers that architecture often assumes a prominent artistic function, as it is through the architect’s personal vision that the design is created. Another prominent aspect of architecture is that after the building is constructed the architecture becomes a part of history. This point is particularly relevant in terms of monuments or buildings that cost considerable amounts of money. In these instances the buildings do not simply represent a form of architectural creation, but come to function as a part of history. Terre Haute, Indiana is a goldmine for such historical architectural creations. In these regards, the city contains such seminal buildings as the Condit House, the Terminal Arcade, and the Paul Dresser birthplace. Still, perhaps the most historic of Terre Haute buildings is the State Bank of Indiana. This essay examines this building’s Greek Revival architectural style through an examination of its historical, architectural, and aesthetic elements. Analysis While the Terre Haute branch of the State Bank of Indiana officially ended operation in 1859, the bank has remained a prominent piece of local architecture. The branch itself was first formed in 1834. Fig. 1 contains a current image of the bank. As the image depicts, the bank is Fig. 1 State Bank of Indiana currently occupied by Kesler & Kesler law offices. The bank implements Greek revival architecture. One considers that this form of architecture was also prominently implemented in the construction of Federal banking structures at the time. This architectural style was not only reminiscent of the Terre Haute bank, but also thematic among much 19th century American and European architecture. The Greek Revival movement was a significant movement in both the United States and Europe. In large part this movement emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries following a rediscovery of many of the architectural and cultural elements that pervaded ancient Greek society. Prior to this period relatively little was known about this Greek culture, outside of what was known from literary sources. In the mid-1750s, however, serious archeological expeditions began into ancient Greece. Perhaps the most prominent of these expeditions were those conducted by James Stuart. Following many of Stuart’s discoveries European elite society assumed a new interest in Greek culture. It was not long before many architectural projects were undertaken, all of them working to emulate the Greek style. Within European society the construction of these building was interpreted as a cultural shift towards a new level of sobriety and restraint and eventually as a means of asserting a new level of nationalism. It was not long before such design principles moved from European society to the United States. In this way Thomas Jefferson was one of the most seminal figures, as he is noted for owning a copy of the book Antiquities of Athens. While Jefferson himself was not an architect he perhaps made the greatest contribution to popularizing the style within the United States, as he hired Benjamin Henry Latrobe as the official surveyor for the country. Latrobe would go on to design a number of buildings in the Greek Revival school of architecture. Among the most prominent of these constructions are the Bank of Pennsylvania and the Supreme Court interior. Towards the 1830s a second Greek Revival movement emerged in the United States. During this period the Latrobe designed the Second Bank of the United States. There is the recognition then that this bank not only held a conceptual linkage to the Terre Haute building, but also a structural similarity. While a branch of the State Bank of Indiana is located in Terre Haute, Indiana, there were additionally a number of state banks created during the same time. In this way one considers the considerable history surrounding the establishment of the State Bank. The establishment of this bank occurred in direct relation to the closure of the Second Bank of the United States by then President Andrew Jackson. The state of Indiana had experienced a tremendous shortage of capital during this period and needed to establish an institution to address these concerns (Gray, p. 307). There is the recognition that the closure of the Second Bank of the United States occurred at a pivotal period of the United States and the Indiana’s development. In Indiana the state had begun to implement a series of infrastructure improvements. To a large extent these infrastructure developments were afforded through significant Federal loans. The closure of the Second Bank of the United States then necessitated that the state of Indiana assume pro-active action. As a means of addressing concerns related to the funding shortage the Indiana General Assembly met (Gray, p. 299). The seven member board worked to establish the bank, appointing James Ray as cashier. In 1834 the branch in Terre Haute was established. The original charter indicated that there would be thirteen branches established. In addition to the State Bank in Terre Haute, there were branches in Indianapolis, Lawrenceburg, Richmond, Madison, New Albany, Vincennes, Bedford, and Lafayette. During this period each branch had its own president and officers (‘vigo,’ p. 193). Each branch had $160,000 of capital during period. All of this money was raised through the selling of shares at $50 each. While the bank’s life was short-lived it served a significant purpose during its tenure. The bank would come to be one of the most successful state banks within the United States. In this way the bank contributed greatly to the state’s infrastructure development as the charter was highly successful. In the 1840s the bank came under criticism by the Free Banker’s movement who considered it a monopoly (Gray, p. 320). These lobby groups gradually assumed political power into the 1850s. In 1859 the bank’s sought a new charter and was rejected, subsequently resulting in the bank’s closure. Examining the Terre Haute building one easily recognizes the significant Greek Revival characteristics. The building itself was designed by architect Edwin J. Peck. In approximating the Greek style Peck implemented strong Doric columns. One recognizes these in the four columns seemingly holding up the bank’s entrance. There is a similar implementation of this technique in famous Greek buildings including the Parthenon. The building’s stone façade also harkens back to this seminal Greek buildings. During Greek antiquity this style may have assumed a strictly functional purpose, as it allowed Greek architects to construct formally sound structures without the aid of advanced technology. In the 19th century American context, however, this architecture functioned more as a reaction to the significant historical gravitas these ancient Greek structures had assumed. In this way Greek Revival buildings such as the Terre Haute building stand not for Greek culture, but the ideals of free thought and stability over time. There is the consideration that the motivation behind the implementation of Greek Revival architecture in the Terre Haute State Bank goes beyond mere aesthetic purposes, but also has a significant political and historical significance. While in Europe this style signaled a new level of sobriety, the United States was a newly declared republic. The implementation of this architecture then came to function as a means of rooting the country in established values and a general sense of trust and stability. The intention of rooting the country in this general state of stability is true not only on the national level, but also on the state level. In this way one considers that the state of Indiana itself was implementing significant infrastructure developments and the Terre Haute bank was one stable outreach of these functions. As the United States progresses and the Republic gradually assumed greatly levels of economic and political stability the emphasis on such architecture waned. In this way the Terre Haute building paradoxically represents a time in American history where the country still had concerns over history and necessarily had to implement this hyper-classical style to counter-act its stability issues. Conclusion In conclusion, this essay has examined the Terre Haute, Indiana Branch of the State Bank of Indiana in terms of architectural style. Within this context of investigation the essay has examined the building’s historical, architectural, and aesthetic elements. In terms of historical elements the essay demonstrates that the building emerged during a crucial period of Indiana’s development and while the structure would only be in use for two decades it served crucial city and state functions. In terms of architectural elements the building implemented the Greek Revival school of architecture which was not only popularized on the Federal level, but had also taken hold in European society. Aesthetically the essay argues that the style of the Terre Haute building represents a search for order and stability in a turbulent time of Indiana’s development. References "Banking and Finance." vigo. N.p.. Web. 30 Oct 2012. . Gray, Ralph. Indiana History: A Book of Readings. Indiana: Indiana University Press. 1994. "Terre Haute First National Bank." Indiana history. N.p.. Web. 30 Oct 2012. . Read More