Union National Bank

This building is probably most familiar as a restaurant, which it has been since 1983. But it started out as Union National Bank, which was founded in 1868 as Union Savings Bank. The bank took its name from the Union Block building in which it was located.

The new bank was well-positioned to benefit from Rochester’s growth in the years after the Civil War. Already in those early years, the bank promoted its location on Broadway as “one of the best business locations in the city.”

Union National Bank became Northwestern National Bank on March 1, 1956, and announced plans to build a modern banking facility, complete with drive-through service, at the site of the old Brackenridge Building on Second Street Southwest. Northwestern eventually became Norwest and merged in 1998 with Wells Fargo.

Meanwhile, the popular Wong’s restaurant moved into the former bank building at Broadway and Third in 1983, and served diners there until 2005. Sontes, another restaurant, took over in 2006, followed by Grand Rounds Brewing Company, and as of June 2020 Nellie’s on Third.

History Center of Olmsted County