Reaching a peak population of 1,856 in 1920, Harlowton's population has slowly dropped ever since, falling under 1,000 in 2010 and continuing to fall today. This is explained by Harlowton's location in predominantly farming country, an area which began to suffer drought conditions in the 1920s, a decade before the midwest began to experience similar conditions. As a result, banks and businesses began to fail well before the great stock market crash of 1929 and the beginning of the
Great Depression of the
Dirty Thirties.
Last of the several
banks which once served Wheatland County, the provenance of Citizens Bank & Trust of Harlowton follows a circuitous path through the creation and consolidation of several banks.
The Continental National Bank of Harlowton remains the
only financial institution in Wheatland County. It was first incorporated as a State Bank in 1917. In 1919 there were four banks in Harlowton- the Bank of Wheatland County [this building], Farmers National Bank (Library), and First National Bank (Senior Citizens Center), as well as the Continental Bank and Trust Company.
Construction of the present bank building began in 1917 and was completed in 1919. Extensive remodeling and modernization of the structure was undertaken in 1960 and again in 1982.
The Continental Bank and Trust Company's assets were acquired by Northwest Bancorporation in January, 1930, and a National Charter was secured under the name of The Continental National Bank of Harlowton.
In February, 1930, the Farmers National Bank of Harlowton was consolidated with the Continental National Bank of Harlowton, and in 1949 the Continental Bank assumed deposits of Stockmen's Bank of Martinsdale.
From the Origin and history of Harlowton, Montana
The trail begins in 1905 with the establishment of a private bank, which in 1906 was chartered as the State Bank of Harlowton. In 1917 it was purchased by Weyburn Security Banking Company and became Continental Bank and Trust Company.
Bank at Harlowton to Erect Building
February 16, 1920
Harlowton, Feb.15 - The Bank of Wheatland County will erect one of the most modern and handsome exclusive bank buildings in this part of Montana, during the coming spring. The building will cost not 1ess than $20,000.00 and will be constructed of brick, trimmed in white terra cotta. It will be but one story in height, and will have an 18-foot ceiling.
The design of the building is patterned after the Bank of Fergus County in Lewistown. The exterior will present a very attractive appearance, the sides toward the streets having a colonnade effect, with beautiful large leaded glass windows between the columns.
From the Great Falls Daily Tribune, Page 4
In the meantime, however,
Continental Bank and Trust had, in 1921, merged with the
Bank of Wheatland County, which had, just the year previous, built the above building. Apparently, the new
Continental Bank and Trust occupied this building. In the book,
Origin and history of Harlowton, Montana, the building was mis-identified as being the second of the
Upper Musselshell Museum buildings which, from the description in the "
Bank at Harlowton to Erect Building" quote above, it is clearly seen that this is the building in question. In 1930 it was again purchased and became
Continental National Bank.
Harlowton Banks Are Consolidated
December 23, 1921
Harlowton, Dec. 22.- The consolidation of the
Continental Bank and Trust company with the
Bank of Wheatland County was consummated recently at a meeting of the stockholders and directors of the two institutions held at each bank for the purpose of considering the move.
The terms and conditions upon which the consolidation was made were prepared by the officers of the two institutions with the assistance of their attorneys and the superintendent of banks. Resolutions for acceptance without a single change were passed by the stockholders and directors of the two institutions without a dissenting vote.
From the Great Falls Tribune, Page 8
Shortly after,
Continental National Bank absorbed the
Farmers' National Bank of Harlowton, selling the Farmers' Bank building to the
City of Harlowton, which continues to occupy it as the Harlowton City Hall. In 1947 local investors bought the Continental National Bank, operating it until 2008, at which time it became the property of the present bank, the
Citizens Bank and Trust Company.
Our History
Our Harlowton branch, formerly Continental National Bank, traces its roots back to 1905 when Benjamin Urner started a private bank. This was three years before the Milwaukee Rail Road arrived. In 1906 Urner’s bank was chartered as the State Bank of Harlowton and built a two story building. In 1917 the bank was purchased by Weyburn Security Banking Company and renamed Continental Bank and Trust Company. C. A. Johnson became manager. Norwest Bancorporation purchased the bank in 1930 and renamed it Continental National Bank. A month later, they absorbed Farmers National Bank of Harlowton. In 1947 a group of local investors bought the bank and operated it as an independent bank for over 60 years.
In the summer of 2008, the stockholders of Citizens Bank and Trust Company of Big Timber purchased Continental National Bank. Since then we have grown in Wheatland county continuing to provide banking services in Harlowton and the surrounding communities.
From Citizens Bank & Trust