Entry No. 34 — the Des Moines file — filed under: jewel-box bank
Louis Sullivan 'Jewel Box' Bank (Merchants' National Bank)
Built in 1914, this National Historic Landmark is one of Louis Sullivan's celebrated "jewel box" banks — a plain brick exterior that opens onto a dazzling interior of ornate terra-cotta, stained-glass skylights, and pink marble, making it one of the most surprising architectural interiors in the Midwest. It now houses the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, open free to the public Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM.
The move: Step inside and let the jaw-dropping contrast between the humble brick street facade and the explosion of golden Sullivan ornament hit you; linger over the stained glass and original banking fixtures, then walk Grinnell's historic commercial district before grabbing coffee at a nearby downtown cafe — the whole stop takes about an hour and costs nothing.
📍 Before you go It sits in downtown Grinnell on the north side of 4th Avenue, just west of Broad Street — about an hour east of Des Moines, so treat it as a day trip. Look for the squat brick box crowned with a gilded terra-cotta cartouche; that golden burst is the giveaway. Parking is easy on the surrounding streets, and you're steps from the historic commercial blocks of shops and cafes. It's a working Chamber and Visitor Center, so weekdays are your safe bet; weekend visits are sometimes possible by request, so call ahead. While you're in town, pair it with a stroll past the Walter Burley Griffin house a few blocks north and the Grinnell College campus.
- 📍 Grinnell
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 833 4th Ave, Grinnell, IA 50112
Hours: Mined 2026-06-07 — confirm current hours before you go.
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Further reading: grinnelliowa.gov · traveliowa.com · Tripadvisor
last checked: 2026-06-07