HISTORY
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
Built in 1905-1906 and opened in 1907, First National Bank was one of three banks in Harmony. The Great Depression led to the closing/consolidation of Harmony's banks and First National Bank closed its doors. The main level of the building then served as the dentist office of Dr. Newell from the 1940s-1970s.
In the early years, the second level housed the doctor's offices of several local practitioners. In the 1950s this space was converted into two apartments, and last held tenants in the early 1980s.
VACANCY
After Dr. Newell's tenure, the building was largely left to deteriorate until 2006 when the building went up at auction. The next owner replaced the front steps and front window, but otherwise left the building untouched.
RENOVATION
In the summer of 2019 we began a conversation with the previous owner in hopes of purchasing the building. He felt that we would be good stewards of this historic building and agreed to sell it to us in the fall of 2019.
We set to work removing fallen plaster, flaking paint from the walls and radiators, layers of paint from the woodwork, and obsolete plumbing. We had electricity brought back to the building as well as modern plumbing, heat, attic insulation, and a new roof. Since then the floors have been sanded and refinished, the original windows and doors restored, new storm windows installed, the tin ceiling was dry-ice blasted, and the building's brick re-pointed.
We also brought in soil and created a wildflower garden and lawn in the backyard.
Progress was slow as we did much of the work ourselves and prioritized retaining the historic character of the building.