FIRST - Depositors in the Bank - Panhandle, TX
Posted by: YoSam.
N 35° 20.571 W 101° 22.841
14S E 283647 N 3913665
Called "Happy" because bank was founded in Happy Draw, Texas....now all over the place... large bank ....
Waymark Code: WM139F9
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 10/19/2020
Views: 0
County of Marker: Carson County
Location of Marker: Euclid St. & 3rd St., Panhandle
Marker Erected by: State Historical Survey Committee
Date Marker Erected: 1965
Marker Text:
OLDEST BANK IN THE
TEXAS PANHANDLE
Second commercial bank opened in the Panhandle of Texas.
Oldest in continuous service.
Founded by James Christopher Paul, pupil of Sam Houston's son, lawyer Temple Houston.
Early settlers throughout the High Plains area were among the first depositors. On May 6, 1927, during great oil boom, Judge Paul and associates opened a second bank, the First National. On December 31, 1942, the two merged.
Many present accounts are held by heirs of early depositors. A son of Judge Paul still serves on the Board of Directors.
(1965)
"In 1908, pioneer stockman L.T. Lester entered the scene. At the time, small towns needed capital to create jobs. Having already organized banks across the Panhandle and in New Mexico, Lester established the First State Bank of Happy - the only bank in Happy serving residents for more than 110 years.
"Did You Know? Early Texas Panhandle banks were among the first to use teller cages and round safes to thwart bank robbers." ~ Happy History
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