New Trier Township

While long-known as the New Trier Township office, this building was originally the home of the First National Bank of Winnetka. It was designed in 1922 by Clifford Shopbell, a well-known architect from Evansville, Indiana. Most of his most notable structures are located in Indiana, including a whopping 26 that are now on the National Register of Historic Places. In Winnetka, Shopbell also designed the stunning Tudor house at 1045 Pine Street.

The First National Bank operated out of this building until 1961, when they moved into a larger building down the street. Township officials then voted to acquire the building on July 10, 1961 for $85,000 in cash.

New Trier Township was first organized in April 1850 during a meeting at John Garland’s Wayside Inn. The founder’s goal was to organize a locally managed, grassroots government with the welfare of the residents as its primary mission. At the time, the area within the township had a population of 473, primarily consisting of farmers from Germany as well as entrepreneurs from the east and south looking for opportunities to start businesses and build fine homesteads at a lower cost who saw opportunities.

Since then, the population has grown to about 60,000 across 16 square miles of Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe and portions of Glenview and Northfield. The Township remains focused on its original mission, and today, provides a multitude of services to its residents.

After acquiring this building, the Township officials had the interior of the building remodeled to better suit their needs. During the remodel, the brass rails, teller’s cages, and vaults were removed aside from one vault, which still remains in the basement of the building.

Thankfully, the exterior Tudor Revival style still remains much as it originally did. The style is perhaps best exemplified by the gable windows on the roof of the structure.

739 Elm is now a Local Winnetka Landmark, and has been marked by the state as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.