Built in 1905 for the Krise Banking Company, this early skyscraper building was the tallest structure in Lynchburg. A seven-story, masonry bank and office building that adheres to the standard early 20th century design with its distinct base, shaft, and capital components.

The Ninth Street entrance, with its broken pediment surround, was the original entrance to the American National Bank on the first floor of the building. The entrance on Main Street has been altered from a central arched opening to the new corner entrance. The building at the time of construction was heralded as a show piece of engineering and design in the busy downtown area of Lynchburg.

Historic Downtown

The historic downtown is currently in the momentum phase of revitalization with more than 120 million dollars in public and private rehabilitation projects underway.  Among projects, there is the recently upgraded YMCA with more than 8500 members and the dramatically landscaped Riverfront Park along the James River.

Main Street and the nearby riverfront feature quality restaurants with proprietors from England, Lebanon, Latin America, India, the Philippines and Switzerland.  The centerpiece of the revitalization is the 139-step Monument Terrace decorated with statues and fountains commemorating the City’s fallen military heroes. 

The completion of Amazement Square, a nationally recognized Children’s Museum, the ongoing restoration of the 1,000 seat Academy of Music Theatre (once the finest opera hall in the South) and the presence of the 400 member Dance Theater of Lynchburg, led by a former artistic director of the Alvin Ailey Dance Company, combine to make the downtown a cultural center.

 

 

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