The State Bank of Spring Green building is the only Neoclassical Revival style building in downtown Spring Green. At the time it was constructed in 1915, the style was particularly popular in other areas of the state for public and institutional buildings, as well as commercial structures. Other prime examples of the Neoclassic style from this period can be viewed in Madison, including the State Capitol and the State Historical Society building.

The building was designed by architect William F. Hilgen and Frank L. Ludwig, of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, and cost over $7000 to build. Mr. Hilgen also designed several buildings in the Port Washington area, including a Neo-Classical Revival style bank of the same terra cotta construction materials in 1909. Frank Lloyd Wright also submitted drawings for the building. Some elements of Mr. Wright’s design are very similar to the existing structure.

The design of the Spring Green bank building’s ornate façade is somewhat unusual in that all of the exterior architectural features, including the columns, parapet and other decorative features, are clad in brown, smooth-surfaced terra cotta tiles that have the appearance of smooth granite. In the late 1800s, terra cotta became the material of choice for architectural decoration over hand-carved stone or wood because it allowed for unlimited designs. The cast, gas-fired archtectural sculpture pieces used in the construction of this building were supplied by the Midland Terra Cotta Company of Chicago and cost $1,200 at the time of purchase in 1914.

Renovation work of the original terra cotta architectural elements was performed by hand with custom materials in order to best preserve the original appearance.

Today, many elements of the interior remain essentially intact from the original construction, including: marble-faced teller cages, the vault and vault doors, the front entrance doors, some light fixtures, mosaic tile flooring, and a coffered ceiling in main room. These features are being carefully preserved and are highlighted in the restaurant design.