San Benito Bank and Trust Company
San Benito, Cameron County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Chartered in 1908, one year after the founding of San Benito, this institution was started by two brothers, W. Scott Heywood and Alba Heywood. The bank was moved here in 1911 when work was completed on this Spanish Colonial Revival structure. The second floor housed offices and the city library, organized at this site in 1914. Flags flown from the building warned area farmers of bad weather.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Chartered in 1908, just a year after San Benito was founded, this bank was started by brothers W. Scott and Alba Heywood. In 1911 it moved into this Spanish Colonial Revival building, whose second floor held offices and the city library, organized here in 1914. Flags flown from the building even warned area farmers of coming bad weather, making it a hub of Rio Grande Valley town life.
Why it matters
The building shows how a single early institution could serve as bank, library, and community bulletin board at once, knitting together a brand-new agricultural town.
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Related people
- · W. Scott Heywood
- · Alba Heywood
Themes & tags
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