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Rochester’s First National Bank moved into its new building at 201 First Ave. SW in the early 1940s. Within a few years, First National Bank made news when they opened a walk-up window along First Avenue. Customers no longer needed to go inside to cash a check. It didn’t really catch on.
In June 1956, the bank converted a tenant parking lot into what they called “auto bank” parking. Customers could park in a dedicated lot and walk to a new auto entrance in the rear of the bank adjacent to the parking lot. Meanwhile, across the street, Northwestern Bank was creating the first true drive-up window.
Finally, in April 1963, First National Bank opened its own auto bank on the corner of Second Avenue and Second Street Southwest. A.C. Gooding, the 91-year-old former First National Bank president, drove a 1902 Oldsmobile to the drive-up window to become the first customer.
“Lens on History” is a weekly photo feature by Lee Hilgendorf, a volunteer at the History Center of Olmsted County.
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