Quick Facts

Designed in classic mid-century modern style, the building features an iconic zigzagging folded-plate canopy roof with aluminum soffits extending over the drive-through lanes. 

The structure is anchored by massive, quoined hexagonal brick pillars that frame the glass-walled lobby and support the outer drive-through canopy. 

Built on the former 50-year site of Floyd Johnson’s Garage, the property was cleared in 1966 to build a purpose-built branch for Isabella County State Bank. 

Recognized as a rare surviving example of 1960s commercial banking architecture in downtown Mt. Pleasant, the building remains virtually unchanged from its original design. 

NPS Description

200 South University Street. Isabella County State Bank, 1966. 

Contributing 

Description

This one-story, rectangular building has an enclosed banking room in its north half and two drive-in teller stations in its south half. The building is constructed around a series of massive hexagonal brick columns with quoined edges. The spaces between the columns are infilled at the east and west elevations with glass and aluminum panels to enclose the interior. The north elevation has a projecting glass and aluminum section that contains the main entry. At the south side, the brick columns support the canopy roof over the drive through stations. The roof is the characteristic mid-century folded-plate roof with aluminum soffits. 

History 

This corner was the site of Floyd Johnson’s Garage and Auto Sales from around 1915 to the mid 1960s. That building was then torn down and the present building was constructed in 1966 as a drive-through bank for Isabella County State Bank (now Isabella Bank and Trust), the use it remains in today. 

Integrity Analysis 

The mid-century modern building has not been significantly modified since its construction. Despite its modest scale, it is a rare example of this type of building in Mt. Pleasant’s downtown. 

Sources 

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps (Mt. Pleasant: 1884, 1890, 1895, 1900, 1910, 1924, 1931, 1950); Mt. Pleasant City Directories, 1925-1998; Past and Present of Isabella County, 1911; City of Mt. Pleasant Building Permits; historic photographs.