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 1954:
Irwin Union Bank and Trust Company
Background music: "Sh-Boom" by The
Crew-Cuts
Things seemed to be going well in 1954, in
Columbus and the rest of the country as well. World War Two was
over, the Korean War was over, and it seemed like maybe all wars
were over. Postage stamps were 3 cents, gas was 21 cents a gallon,
and the average American was earning almost $4000 a year. The minimum
wage was 75 cents an hour.
Some new items from 1954 included the frozen
TV dinner, Play-Doh®, Trix® breakfast cereal, and the Butterball®
brand turkey.
J. Irwin Miller realized that for Columbus
to prosper in the booming post-war economy, it needed to offer the
quality of life and cultural advantages that could be found on the
East and West coasts. Again recognizing the important role modern
architecture could play, Miller hired Eero Saarinen to design the
Irwin Union Bank and Trust Company . The changing role of banking
and the visionary insights on the part of both men brought to Columbus
this distinctive glass-walled landmark, completed in 1954.
Dwight Eisenhower was President, and 18 year-old
Jim Henson was perfecting his very first Muppet, a frog named Kermit.
Oprah Winfrey was born, and Dennis Miller celebrated his first birthday.
Color TV broadcasts had just begun, although color TV sets to receive
them were rare. Author J.R.R. Tolkien published The Lord of
the Rings.
As Columbus continued to thrive through the
late fifties, into the cold war years and beyond, so did Irwin Union
Bank and Trust. This unique bank with glass walls became a hub of
business activity that helped keep Columbus growing. The Honey Locust
trees in the park that surrounds the Bank continue to grow stronger
with every passing season.
In New York Harbor, Ellis Island was officially closed after processing
some 12 million immigrants since 1892.
Dragnet, The Jack Benny Show, I
Love Lucy, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin.
In England, Dr. Roger Bannister became the first person to run a
mile in less than four minutes;
the first Sports Illustrated was published.
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