Groos National Bank
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Founded by family that was first in San Antonio to engage solely in banking. Outgrowth of business begun by Frederick Groos (1827-1912), a graduate engineer and architect who came to Texas from Germany in 1848. During building of Fort Duncan in 1849, Groos had U.S. Government contract for freighting into Eagle Pass. His drivers--with 140 high-wheel carts and 280 oxen--braved constant danger from Indians, but the business was successful. Groos had branch houses in New Braunfels, San Antonio, and Matamoros, Mexico. His brothers, Carl (1830-1893) and Gustav (1832-1895), joined him in 1854, in merchantile partnership, F. Groos and Co. Primitive banking was a necessary side line of any frontier store; money was kept in packing boxes, or, for safety on the road, hidden in cotton bales or plugged holes in card axles. Bank clients in northern Mexico continued with Groos for generations. Firm moved from Eagle Pass to San Antonio in 1866. In 1879 it expanded by building on Commerce Street (across street from this site) the first structure in San Antonio expressly for a bank. Obtained a national charter in 1912. Descendants of the Groos brothers are active in the city today, and are represented in the management and ownership of the bank. (1968)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Frederick Groos, a German engineer, reached Texas in 1848 and won a government freighting contract during the building of Fort Duncan, sending long trains of ox carts across country plagued by raids. With his brothers he built the mercantile firm F. Groos and Co., where frontier banking meant money hidden in cotton bales and cart axles for safety on the road. In 1879 the family erected San Antonio's first purpose-built bank and took a national charter in 1912.
Why it matters
The Groos story shows how immigrant frontier merchants evolved into the formal banking institutions that financed the growth of the American Southwest.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Briscoe Western Art Museum0.1 mi away · 210 West Market Street
- Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks0.1 mi away
- Buckhorn Saloon and Museum0.2 mi away
- Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium0.2 mi away
- Alamo Vistor Center and Museum (coming 2027)0.2 mi away
- Ralston Family Collections Center0.3 mi away
Attractions
- River boat boardingnearby
- River boat boarding0.1 mi away
- La Villita0.2 mi away
- Sea Life Aquarium0.2 mi away · 849 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX
- River boat boarding0.3 mi away
- Yanaguana Garden0.4 mi away
Food & drink
- The Original Mexican Restaurantnearby
- Saltgrass Steak Housenearby
- Paesanos Riverwalknearby · 111 Crockett Way, San Antonio, TX
- Michelino'snearby
- Dick's Last Resort San Antonionearby
- Lone Star Cafenearby
Places to stay
- Mokara Hotel and Spanearby · 212 West Crockett Street, San Antonio, TX
- Hotel Contessanearby · 306 West Market Street
- The Westin Riverwalk, San Antonionearby · 420 West Market Street, San Antonio
- Omni La Mansión del Rio0.1 mi away · 112 College Street, San Antonio
- Wyndham Riverside Suites0.1 mi away · 218 College Street, TX
- Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk0.1 mi away · 123 Losoya Street, San Antonio, TX
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Related people
- · Frederick Groos
- · Carl Groos
- · Gustav Groos
Themes & tags
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