First National Bank Tower & Masonic Temple

Middletown, Ohio

Building History

The tower was constructed by First National Bank of Middletown in 1907. Besides window replacements, the building’s exterior is remarkably intact and well-maintained. The neighboring Masonic Temple is older, dating to the 1893, and displays stained glass windows across its facade. Both represent two of the more prominent structures in Downtown Middletown and are just outside the National Register HD on South Main Street.

Community Plan

A group of preservationists, in coordination with Butler County CHAPS (Citizens for Historic & Preservation Services) and Cincinnati Preservation Association, presented in front of City Council with representatives from the Arts Central Foundation to encourage the city to allow the Foundation to continue using the Masonic Temple and gift/sell the building so that an elevator and other necessary improvements could be completed by the foundation. This presentation was in January, but no decision has been issued by the city. With the opening of Cincinnati State directly across the street, one can image a number of potential complimentary uses (e.g. first floor retail–coffee, books, etc/ upper floor housing or faculty offices, etc.). The buildings are likely eligible for the National Register, which would open up the potential for tax credits to offset some of the development costs.

Building Details

Sq.Ft.: 50,000
Date of Construction: 1883 (1907)
For Sale: No
National Register Historic Property: No
National Register Historic District:
Zoning: Urban Overlay

Threats to Property

The First National Bank tower was shut down in the fall of 2011, several months after the city purchased the property. More than 20 tenants were evicted and the building closed. The buildings were acquired by the City of Middletown as part of a collection of 5 buildings acquired in preparation for a new branch campus of Cincinnati State University. Cincy State will occupy 3 floors of a more modern office building directly across the street. The city has not assigned a use to this building, and it remains vacant.

The Masonic Temple is currently rented by the Arts Central Foundation, a local arts group that provides arts programming for children and the community. Some officials have said they could be later phases of the college or auxiliary uses, but others have identified them as potential parking lot sites. Adjacent building owners to the north indicate that the city approached them about purchasing their buildings to level them for parking lots, but at least one owner did not choose to sell.