Central National Bank Building drawing by Charles W. Smith, Richmond Magazine, January 1929.

The Central National Bank Building, built in 1929 at 219 E. Broad Street, was known for decades to Richmonders as the Central Fidelity Bank building. At twenty-two stories it was the tallest building in the city for decades. The Art Deco skyscraper was designed by John Eberson (1875-1964), a noted New York architect best known for his design of movie theaters. Local architects Carneal and Johnston shared in the work and design of the building. The large neon sign that stood on the top of the building changed colors according to the weather forecast for the next day. The image of the building, drawn by Virginia artist and educator Charles W Smith, is on the cover of the January 1929 issue of Richmond magazine published by the Richmond Chamber of Commerce. Click HERE to learn about the building's current use and owner. And more about the building's design and the bank's history HERE. Lastly, see more images by Smith that graced the cover of Richmond magazine in previous Shockoe Examiner posts.

- Ray