First National Bank of El Campo
El Campo, Wharton County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The First National Bank of El Campo traces its history to the Koch and Poole Mercantile Company. In 1890 El Campo was an exciting new railroad town. Customers left their money in the Koch and Poole safe for protection, and soon the store assumed the duties of a banking institution. A group of local businessmen purchased the company and applied for a national bank charter, which was granted in January 1902. A two-story bank building was erected on the corner of Monseratte and Post Office Street. The bank's founders were instrumental in the development of El Campo and led efforts to have the city incorporated in 1905. Providing investment capital for the rice and oil industries, which were the foundations of El Campo's economy, the bank grew with the city, survived the Great Depression, and emerged as a strong financial institution serving residents throughout Wharton County. After sixty-five years at the Monseratte St. location the bank moved to a larger facility at this site. It continues to support business, civic, and youth activities throughout the county.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The bank grew out of the Koch and Poole Mercantile Company, whose store safe became an informal vault for customers in the booming new railroad town of El Campo around 1890. Local businessmen bought the company and secured a national bank charter in January 1902, erecting a two-story bank building downtown. Its founders helped incorporate El Campo in 1905, financed the rice and oil industries at the heart of the local economy, and steered the bank through the Great Depression.
Why it matters
The bank's rise from a mercantile safe to a county institution shows how frontier commerce and railroad towns matured into the credit systems that powered Texas agriculture and oil.
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Related events
- · Incorporation of El Campo (1905)
Themes & tags
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