Chandler & Ames Bank Museum
until 1867, when he was obliged to make assignment to Luther H. Conklin and D. W. C. Peck.Other bankers used the building until 1900, when the business was sold to Charles H. Peck, who moved the business to Jefferson Street in 1903.
APRIL 2020
Original window and cherry paneling discovered at the Chandler Bank Building!
The original bank building has been acquired by your Historical Society. We will initially use the building for the storage of artifacts and supplies, with the intention of using the space for local history displays and the reconstruction of the original bank in the front of the first floor.
The building consists of two floors and a clean and dry basement. Each floor has approximately 900 square feet. The vault (made of concrete) still exists. Most of the woodwork and the doors are original. They have been painted but are strippable. The current ceiling is about 8’ high but the original plaster ceiling at a 12’ level is in pretty good condition.
Private banking was carried on in Mexico for over 50 years before a National Bank was organized. In 1855, James S. Chandler and Leonard Ames Jr. built the brick bank on the site of McNair and Hatch's store. They carried on a private banking business until 1865 when Mr. Ames withdrew from the firm. J. S. Chandler carried on the business
Some additional history of the building after 1900:
- The building housed a Law Office for a number of years
- R. Austin Backus housed his Pedigree office there
- In 1934 the Mexico Lunch opened, owned by Alice Lilly & Jessie Holton. It was later sold to The Robinsons.
- The Farm Production Credit office was located there until it was sold to the Village of Mexico for a Village Hall. The Village Hall was moved to 3236 Main Street in 1996, its present location.
- The building was vacant for 24 years.
- in January of 2020! The Historical Society acquired the Chandler & Ames Bank Building and began restoration.