House of Crane - Cigar Importers and Jobbers - Fletcher American National Bank - 1915 or 1917 dated Indianapolis Check

Check. House of Crane, Importers and jobbers of cigars. Indianapolis, Indiana. Trademark vignette.

The House of Crane, a prominent cigar wholesaler and jobber based in Indianapolis, Indiana, operated for nearly seven decades. Established in 1894, the company was renowned for its advertising slogan, “If it comes from The House of Crane, It’s a Good Cigar.” The company’s history is preserved through surviving ephemera, such as vintage bank checks from the early 20th century. These checks often featured unique vignettes, including portraits of the founders and an early cigar delivery truck, offering a visual glimpse into the business’s branding and longevity.

For most of its existence, the House of Crane resided in an Italianate commercial building at 124 South Meridian Street in Indianapolis. Initially occupying the south half of the building in 1911, the firm expanded to occupy the entire premises after a remodel in 1916. This renovation introduced prism glass transoms that directed sunlight into the building’s interior. The structure served as the company’s headquarters until its demolition in 1990. However, the building’s facade was famously preserved and incorporated into the design of the city’s Circle Centre.