The unique "round bank" building at 7112 E. Main St. Reynoldsburg, OH., celebrated its 50th anniversary on February 1, 2008. Fifty years ago, Dale England's vision of an eye-catching structure became what was known as the "round bank" East Main Street. What was then known as the Reynoldsburg Bank first opened its doors on Feb. 1, 1958 in a small storeroom located next door to Ralph Connell's Hardware Store at the corner of Lancaster Avenue and East Main Street. Within two years, as the popularity of the bank grew, England decided a new bank facility should be built. He wanted something that would attract attention while still accommodating customers. The result was a round glass structure with a wing-shaped roof, located at 7112 E. Main St. It officially opened on May 24, 1960 with then-Mayor Charles Lemert cutting the ribbon. "The structure was hailed at the time as an architectural wonder," said England's wife, Carol. "It's round and unusual and Dale wanted it to attract people's attention and it did. "Back then, it was said to be 20 years ahead of its time, and when you stop and think about it, it is kind of a landmark," she said. "It was quite an eye-catcher when it was first erected. The prominent part about it is the roof, which is called a hyperbolic paraboloid." By definition, a hyperbolic paraboloid is an infinite surface in three dimensions with hyperbolic and parabolic cross-sections. According to a press release from 1960, the architecture firm of Taylor & Liebersbach, which were responsible for the structure's plans, said the hyperbolic paraboloid roof is a thin shell roof of poured concrete which covers the 60-foot circular glassed-in office space below. England said aside from some technology upgrades, the building itself has gone through very little renovation in 50 years. Dale England died in 2004 at the age of 80. His son, Dale Jr., 60, a Pickerington resident, said when the bank was built, the structural concept of such a building was unique and there was nothing like it for miles. England said he and his mother celebrated the 50th anniversary of the bank on Feb. 1. Even today people still remember what his father did for the community, he said. "Fifty years later, people still tell me, 'well, your dad helped me buy my first house in Reynoldsburg, your dad helped me buy my first car,' and that really makes you feel good," England said. "My dad didn't forget a name of anybody who came in that bank," he said. "Growing up, I used to work there in the summers. I said to him once, 'I'm going to be a banker,' and he said, 'no, you're not!'" Carol, 74, said before her husband started the bank in 1958, he had held positions as a bank examiner for The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and at the First National Bank in Baltimore, Ohio. She said her husband decided to start a bank in Reynoldsburg because there wasn't one located there. "It was the first one established there at that time, but there was a bank in Reynoldsburg before it which went under like a lot of banks did during the Depression," she said. "So there hadn't been one there for about 20 years." The Reynoldsburg Bank was eventually bought by City National Bank in June 1963. It later became Bank One, which was acquired by Chase Bank in 2004. England said her husband retired in 1980. She began working there in 1958 and was in charge of the teller area and bookkeeping until she retired in 1986. "I'm very, very proud of what he was able to accomplish and what I was able to help him do," she said of her husband. "I think it's quite an accomplishment to be that successful in such a short time." Dale Jr. said he is now involved with a group of entrepreneurs planning to launch a community bank in Pickerington. Horizon National Bank is slated to open in late summer or early fall at what was Sky Bank at 126 Postage Drive. "It's kind of coincidental. Fifty years ago, my dad started a bank in Reynoldsburg and here I am, starting one in Pickerington with some guys," England said. "I'd like to think dad is proud of me." ThisWeekNews.com
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