First National Bank (1927) - Athens, TX
N 32° 12.326 W 095° 51.261
15S E 230945 N 3566781
Built in 1927, one of the former First National Bank buildings now has multiple tenants, located at 115B E Tyler St, Athens, TX.
Waymark Code: WMZDHA
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 10/24/2018
Views: 1
As of this posting, the building has multiple sections, 115B and 117, and El Tropical Paletería and Frutería occupies 117. Law offices and a title company share 115B.
Note "Bank" on the façade on one side of the entrance, and sharp eyes will catch "Wofford" hidden by a banner (as of this posting) on the other side. This refers to Bushrod W. J. Wofford, a prominent businessman in Henderson County and in Athens, although it's not clear as to what his ties were to the bank.
While the building itself was some years away, this location is referenced on a 2012 Texas Historical Marker at another former First National Bank location (now a courthouse annex) at 125 N Prairieville St:
Thomas Murchison was born in Tennessee and grew up in Marshall, Mississippi before moving with his parents to Houston County, Texas around 1848. Murchison moved to Athens around 1855 and worked in a general store. Around 1858, Murchison began his own mercantile with partner John Ratcliff located at 119 Tyler Street in Athens. Along with the variety of items sold in the mercantile, there was a safe that townspeople would use to store their valuables such as cash, jewels and gold. Around 1887, local businessmen began to talk of establishing a bank organization. The application was sent to the Comptroller of Currency and a bank charter was granted in 1890. By 1893 the board of directors decided that another location was needed and the building next to R.A. McDonald became the second bank location.
D.R. Murchison became bank president in 1910 and served until 1914 when J.W. Murchison, Sr. served as bank president until 1924. J.W. Murchison, Sr. was a prominent and influential citizen who helped in the development of Athens by financing new business endeavors. In 1924, brothers Frank and Clint Murchison took control of the bank. Loy Freeman became bank president in 1946 and held the distinction of being one of the few women to hold that position. Clint W. Murchison, Sr. was instrumental in securing the bank's present location that opened for business on August 24, 1962. The First National Bank has been a success for over 100 years. Originating from the well-respected Murchison family, the bank has been involved with many projects in Henderson County as it grew and developed.
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This site is also notable in that it lays claim to being the birthplace of the hamburger, as a sign placed by the Athens Chamber of Commerce indicates:
Historical Marker
On this site in the late 1880's cafe owner Fletcher (Old Dave) Davis (1864-1944) innovated and made the first hamburger sandwich. Encouraged by Athens enthusiasts, he introduced the sandwich at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. Dave's nephew, Kindree Miller, Sr., Clint Murchison, Jr. and the files of McDonald's "Hamburger University" helped Frank Tolbert in research for this memorial.
Dedicated January 28, 1964 - Athens Chamber of Commerce