Sublunar Photography

The State Bank and Trust of Wellston was constructed in 1955 and saw use as late as 2006 when it last functioned as a Regions Bank. It's hard to imagine it was being used that recently, however, considering that the decor appears potentially original and the basement is completely flooded. The overall condition suggests it had been vacant for much longer. Inside it is very dark and moldy. The floors are buckling from the humidity of a basement full of murky water and the giant steel safe doors are beginning the long slow process of returning to dust.

The most unusual thing about this bank is that it was evidently constructed during an imaginitive time in the 1950s wherein personal air travel (via helicopter, for example) was expected by some to become as commonplace as the automobile.

During the demolition of the State Bank of Wellston in 2014, much fuss had been made in local news about the interesting/unique sign which stood atop a tall tower on the roof. The tower was rescued by preservationists and everyone rejoiced, but none of the articles paid any attention to what was actually the main design aspect around which this bank was constructed and which was prominently advertised at the time of its Grand Opening. This feature had remained an unexplained mystery (to myself, at least) ever since we first happened to discover it: teller windows... on the roof. We could have just as easily skipped the roof on this occasion and missed out on the opportunity to uncover this forgotten piece of weird Saint Louis history.

According to an article in "Commercial West" published in October 1954: "Fly-in banking by helicopter may soon be a reality.. The increased use of helicopters within the next decade is inevitable. When the whirlybird supplements the family car, America's bankers will find a way to offer fly-in service and they will operate it as efficiently as their other modern banking services.. State Bank and Trust Co of Wellston, St Louis, is considering the possibility of using a helicopter to dramatize the opening of its unique sky-top banking installation in November. The bank already has a ramp which allows motorists to drive up from the street onto the roof". This prediction was made by Edwin H Molser Jr, whose company designed and installed the teller windows here. The same magazine later added the following details "A major innovation of drive-in rooftop banking is the use of two bullet-proof Snorkel tellers, designed by Mosler Safe Co., New York. Customers drive onto the roof of the bank from a rear-street parking area which slopes upward, and pull up to the Snorkel teller. Actually, the teller in each Snorkel is stationed on the first floor of the bank. But teller and customer are in constant view of each other and communicate through a system of two-way speakers and periscope mirrors. A small tray-like elevator conveys deposit and withdrawal transactions from motorist down to the teller and up again in just 18 seconds."

According to an article published in "Mid-Continent Banker" in 1955: The idea behind rooftop banking was created by Sam Goldenberg, head of the bank’s advertising agency. Grand Opening "festivities began with an invitational preview for bankers, the press and special guests on March 23 (1955). Nearly 1,000 persons took the tour through the building from rooftop, where they tried out the snorkel tellers, down the elevator to the main banking floor with its many innovations in bank design."

The sign/tower, a most excellent '1950's futuristic' work of art, was only a secondary feature being advertised at the time of this bank opening to the public. The whole "Banking in the sky" gimmick has since been forgotten, its novelty having been completely eclipsed by the sign. The article above describes the sign thusly "A giant revolving WeatherCaster, 18 feet in circumference, towering 100 feet above the rooftop, records barometrically forthcoming weather changes. The tower includes a revolving advertising display identifying the bank and its services."

Finally, the same article gives the following general description of the bank at the time of its grand opening: "The reinforced concrete building, de signed by Bernard Bloom, is faced in front with granite constructed with one-piece corner slabs. Front of building is series of set-backs, with landscaped areas and projected display windows for merchandising bank’s services. Interior is done in modern themes with brown and beige colors predominating. Tellers cages and check desks are designed with Micarta Truwood walnut finish with marble base and deal plates. Fixtures blend with walnut paneling on walls which can’t be marred by traffic. Walls that “take punishment ” are covered with a special vinyl plastic fabric, not easily marred, and can be washed instead of painted. Tellers cages arranged in curving pattern to assure additional privacy. Sit-down checking desks in lobby. Safe deposit box area literally “built into the hill.” A massive 70,000 pound vault door becomes the center of interest in the bank lobby design. Attractive lighting fixtures display the vault door to best advantage and attract attention to it. Rooms housing air conditioning equipment and other utilities are located on mezzanine floor and are accessible from drive-on roof. Entire basement area available for cafeteria, storage vaults, assembly room, locker space and rest rooms."

State Bank and Trust of Wellston was demolished in the spring of 2014

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