Goessel State Bank

 

 

The first bank in Goessel, the Goessel State Bank, located at 220 E. Main, was established in 1910 with a capital of $10.000 and a surplus of $1,000.  The bank was a one-man operation for most of its 25-year history.  Henry J. Loewen served as cashier from 1912 to 1935 and from 1929 to 1932 he was assisted by Ben Boese, who worked as teller and posting machine operator.

 

During the Great Depression the bank's charter was purchased by Midland Bank of Newton in 1935.  The Goessel State Bank's depositors suffered no losses, primarly because of Loewen's conservative lending practices.

 

The Goessel State Bank offered area citizens enterainment as well as financial aid.  On the east wall-- the bank faced south--hung a barometer.  Many people would stop by to check the only barometer in town. (No TV weatherman yet)

 

Before the building was moved to the museum complex, it was used by the Crossroads Co-operative Service Station as a warehouse to store oil barrels, sacks of feed for poultry and other items needed by local farmers.

 

The building currently displays artifacts from past Goessel businesses, post office boxes, shoe repair, and laundry equipment. 

 

 

 

The Goessel State Bank seen in its orininal setting -- the second building from the right.  Photo 1919.

Bank building moving day.in the late 1970's

Mennonite Heritage and

Agricultural Museum

Goessel State Bank

Dr. Charles Kaiser's office

Peter Graves Store

J. E. Graves Store

Old laundry equipment in Bank Building

The Bank Building recieved a new tin roof on Oct, 14, 2015

Thank you for the donations that made the new roof possible.

What is a laundry mangle and how in the world did it work?

Each of the 8 buildings tells a different story.

Each of the 8 buildings tells a different story.

2014-2021 Mennonite Heritage

and Agricultural Museum

Created by Fern Bartel nee Schmidt