The now "First National Bank of Hope" was originally established as a "Farmers State Bank" in 1915. The house next door was built concurrently with the bank (being the first banker's residence). And I suppose when somebody actually deigned to build another house next door, said banker exclaimed "there goes the neighborhood" and moved to the other end of town. Yeah, sorry, I don't like bankers. But then again, it's 2009, so I don't suppose anybody else much likes bankers either.
This little square box looks like a dead simple scratchbuild. Although, those curvy awnings could be difficult. Anybody make anything like that? I guess I'll find out.... And if not, I guess I can always turn the clock back a few years. It looks like this building was born without them.
OK, so now I have to transcribe this "news" article from the Ellendale Community News. Um... because? Well, just 'cuz I have to... You'll see.
March 12, 1992 - Hope Men Collide
"As Farmers State Bank of Hope employee, Dale Wilker, age 47, was going to a meeting in Mankato, and as Hope resident Mark Cassen, age 24, was going to school at Mankato State last Thursday morning, they collided on Highway 14 west of Eagle Lake. Dale Wilker of rural Owatonna slowed the 1982 Chevrolet he was driving as an opossum crossed the highway and as it appeared a youngster was also going to cross. His car was struck in the rear by a 1985 Pontiac driven by Mark Cassen of Hope.
"Cassen's leg became trapped in the plastic moldings around the steering column, so rescuers had to cut the roof off the car to gain access to the moldings to free his leg. Cassen was taken to Immanuel-St.Joseph's Hospital in Mankato where he was released after receiving thirty facial stitches. His leg was not injured. Wilker was knocked unconscious, but he was able to go on to his meeting in Mankato with a Highway Patrolman. His car was destroyed, as was Cassen's in the accident.
"The opossum was injured and had to be destroyed".
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