First National Bank of Floydada
Floydada, Floyd County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The James B. Posey Bank, established in Floydada in the 1890s, became the Floyd County Bank in 1900 when L.T. Lester joined Posey as a partner. In 1903, with the granting of a federal charter, the name changed once again to First National Bank. Lester served as first president, and the original stockholders included Posey, Lester, Columbus Surginer, Will W. Nelson, R. C. Andrews, J. R. Burrus, and John N. Farris, who succeeded Lester as president in 1911. The bank has occupied this site since 1912, and throughout its history has played an important part in Floyd County's development. (1990)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Rooted in the James B. Posey Bank of the 1890s, this institution became the Floyd County Bank in 1900 and, after winning a federal charter in 1903, the First National Bank. Its early stockholders were a roll call of Floyd County's founding businessmen, and it has stood on this site since 1912. Through boom and drought it helped finance the growth of the surrounding High Plains farm country.
Why it matters
Local banks were the financial backbone of frontier settlement, turning far-flung agricultural counties into functioning modern economies.
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Related people
- ยท James B. Posey
- ยท L. T. Lester
Themes & tags
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