Historic Downtown Salem #7: Ladd & Bush Bank

302 State Street

Ladd & Bush Bank on September 4, 2006.

William S. Ladd and Asahel Bush II has this Italianate style bank building constructed in 1868 to house their new Ladd & Bush Bank, the first bank in Salem, which opened on March 29, 1869.

Historical Photos:
Portrait of William S. Ladd (Oregon State Library)
Asahel Bush as a young man (Oregon State Library)
Asahel Bush (Salem Public Library)
Asahel Bush (Salem Public Library)
Asahel Bush, circa 1890 (Salem Public Library)
Asahel Bush, circa 1900 (Oregon State Library)
Asahel Bush (Salem Public Library)
Asahel Bush (Oregon State Library)
Asahel Bush (Oregon State Library)
Asahel Bush (Oregon State Library)
Asahel Bush (Oregon State Library)
Asahel Bush (Oregon State Library)
Asahel Bush (Oregon State Library)
Asahel Bush (Oregon State Library)
Interior of Ladd & Bush Bank (Oregon State Library)
Ladd & Bush Bank, 1891 (Salem Public Library)

Ladd & Bush Bank Plaque on September 4, 2006.

It is believed that the building was designed by Absolom Hallock, an early Portland architect. Originally the bank building only occupied the corner of the block with other buildings surrounding it. It was expanded in 1880, 1912 and 1941.

Historical Photos:
Ladd & Bush Vault installation, 5/28/1912 (Salem Public Library)
Ladd & Bush Bank, unknown date (Salem Public Library)
Ladd & Bush Bank, unknown date (Salem Public Library)
Ladd & Bush Bank, unknown date (Salem Public Library)
Ladd & Bush Bank, unknown date (Salem Public Library)
Ladd & Bush Bank, unknown date (Oregon State Library)

Ladd & Bush Bank on September 4, 2006

The Ladd & Bush Bank was merged into the U.S. National Bank in 1940. When the bank was expanded along State Street, the Patton Building, site of a pioneer merchandising establishment, was demolished to make room for it.

Historical Photos:
Ladd & Bush Bank, 1940s-1950s (Salem Public Library)
Ladd & Bush Bank, 1950s-1960s (Salem Public Library)

Ladd & Bush Bank on November 30, 2006

In 1967 the building underwent an extensive renovation, with the interior being gutted and new concrete walls being constructed. The cast iron decoration was saved, and was supplemented with additional cast iron from Portland's similar Ladd & Tilton Bank building which was demolished at about the same time, giving the building the size and unified appearance it has today.

Ladd & Bush Bank on November 30, 2006

Historical Photos:
Ladd & Bush Bank reconstruction, 1966 (Salem Public Library)
Ladd & Bush Bank, January 1967 (Salem Public Library)
Ladd & Bush Bank, 1973 (Salem Public Library)
Ladd & Bush Bank, 1973-1983 (Salem Public Library)

Ladd & Bush Bank on November 30, 2006

U.S. Bank still has a branch in this building today.

Ladd & Bush Bank on September 9, 2006

In 2006, the south wall of the bank was refinished. This is a concrete wall that was constructed during one of the bank’s additions.

Ladd & Bush Bank on September 9, 2006

This wall faces a parking lot, so it doesn’t have the cast iron decoration like the sides that face the street, but it does have a pattern of shallow arches cast into it.

Ladd & Bush Bank on September 9, 2006

There is an entrance to the bank on this wall, provided direct access from the parking lot.

Ladd & Bush Bank Lamppost on September 9, 2006

The lampposts that are in the sidewalk in front of the bank can also be found along this wall.

Ladd & Bush Bank Lamppost on September 9, 2006

Historically there were lampposts like these in front of the bank, but I am not sure if any of the current lampposts are original.

Ladd & Bush Bank on March 25, 2007.

Here is the south wall after the refinishing was complete.

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