First National Bank of Bastrop
Bastrop, Bastrop County, Texas
Marker Inscription
First bank in county. In early days, money for safekeeping was placed with mercantile firms. Organized as "Bank of Bastrop County", in March 1889; became a national bank on Aug. 10, 1889. Presidents of this bank have been J. C. Buchanan, B. D. Orgain, W. A. McCord, W. B. Ransome, Earl C. Erhard and Gates B. Mack. Present structure built 1950, is on site of 1860's law office of Geo. W. Jones and J. D. Sayers; each served Texas as Lieutenant Governor and U.S. Congressman. Sayers was Governor, 1899-1903. Noted trading store of John Swan Johnson also stood here. (1967)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Before there were banks in Bastrop County, people left their money for safekeeping with mercantile firms — until March 1889, when local men organized the Bank of Bastrop County, which became a national bank that August. Its present 1950 building stands on ground once occupied by the 1860s law office of George W. Jones and J.D. Sayers, each of whom served Texas as lieutenant governor and congressman, with Sayers also governor from 1899 to 1903. The noted trading store of John Swan Johnson stood here as well.
Why it matters
The bank marks the arrival of modern financial institutions on the Texas frontier, on a site tied to statewide political figures who shaped the young state's government.
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Related people
- · George W. Jones
- · J.D. Sayers
- · John Swan Johnson
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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