In 2018, the old Merchants & Planters Bank building became Montevallo’s source for a different kind of “dough” when La Conchita Bakery and Pastry moved in, giving the town its first bakery since the old Montevallo Cafe and Bakery was a going concern on Middle Street in the 1940’s. Before the arrival of the bakery on Main Street, the bank building had been most recently occupied by Bob Butterworth’s State Farm Insurance agency. Prior to Butterworth’s tenure in the space, the building was owned by the Weston/Mixon partnership and Bill Weston ran the State Farm agency that Butterworth later took over.
There has been a bank in this space going back to before 1900. The Shelby County Bank, which is pictured here, was advertising in the Montevallo News in 1896. Its successor in the building, the Merchants and Planters Bank, had an ad in the 1907 Alabama Girls Industrial School yearbook, the “Chiaroscuro.” In the mid-20th century, Merchants and Planters was operated by J.P. Kelly. His wife served as cashier and their bank was the community’s primary banking resource for many years. Their sons, Agee and Pat Kelly followed them as president and vice-president, respectively, and ran the bank for a number of years themselves. During their tenure at M&P, the bank moved two blocks east when a new building was completed in the 1960’s. That building is the location for Trustmark Bank today.
It is not known by this writer when the elegant brick and stone facade of the M&P building was added to the building, but a perceptive and informed observer could easily conclude that the architectural features that are still very evident and well maintained were probably inspired by the architectural boom going on a few blocks away on the Alabama College campus. Beginning in 1915, buildings such as Bloch Hall, Wills Hall, Ramsey Hall, Anna Irvin Dining Hall and Calkins Hall were constructed in rapid succession. The noted Birmingham architectural firm, Warren, Knight, and Davis produced the designs for these buildings, all with handsome Palladian windows showcasing a consistent style. The windows, stone, and brick used on Merchants and Planters are direct echoes of the look being established on campus, so it would not be surprising to learn that Warren, Knight, and Davis were involved or their work at least served as an inspiration for this building on Main Street.
Significantly, the City of Montevallo has continued the use of the Palladian style of window in the design of both the Parnell Library and the new City Hall building and, as such, it has become something of a graphic icon for the community.
Many thanks to Clay Nordan, Vice-President of the Montevallo Historical Society, for sharing these images and information!
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