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Edgar DeJean writes (10/16/97): "I consulted with Helen Roberson. Yes, these buildings were in the Northeast corner of the Square.The taller building to the left was the State Bank which was in that location for as long as I can remember. The middle building was indeed the residence of the Sinclair family, who were related to Helen's father, Lee Persise. The Sinclair family built the West Baden Springs Hotel, the largest unsupported dome in the world at the time of its construction. This residence had been converted to a store when I first remember it. The building on the right was used for apartments by the time I knew it. The old State Bank building and the Sinclair Residence were torn down and replaced by a one-story structure, the building on the right in the picture had been converted to apartments and was in turn incorporated into the remodelled bank as a two story structure. Further historical research is proceeding." The card shows a stone carriage block at the curb in front of the residence, but one of Salem's most important landmarks in missing -- the limestone lion that still stands in front of the bank building, even though it's not the State Bank of Salem anymore. It is interesting to speculate on how much better a place the world would be if all the owners of banks were required to live in residences attached to their offices as the Sinclairs did. |