North Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company
Photographed By R. E. Smith, September 2, 2007
1. Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company (Obverse)
(Obverse)
Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company is the oldest, continuously operated African-American bank in the United States. Formerly known as the One-Cent Savings Bank and Trust Company and organized for the uplift of African Americans, it opened on January 16, 1904. African-American Nashville leaders Richard H. Boyd (president), James C. Napier (cashier-manager), and Preston Taylor (chairman) were among the bank's principal founders and officers.
(Reverse)
Other founders and officers included C. N. Langston (teller), J. B. Bosley, William Haynes, J.W. Grant, E.B. Jefferson, T. G. Ewing, and J. A. Cullom. As the depository for the Defense Fund of the Afro American Council, the bank helped fund the African-American civil rights movement in 1906. The One-Cent Savings Bank and Trust Company, Nashville's first African-American owned bank, changed its name to Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company in 1920.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3A 197.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1870.
Location. 36°
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pearl High Athletics (within shouting distance of this marker); Looby Bombing (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ed Temple (about 300 feet away); Meharry Medical College (about 400 feet away); Dr. Harold Dadford West, Sr. (about 500 feet away); Nashville Student Movement Office (about 500 feet away); Meharry Medical College and the United Methodist Church (Worship of God through service to mankind) (about 500 feet away); Bombing of the Z. Alexander Looby Home (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.
Photographed By R. E. Smith, September 2, 2007
2. Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company Marker (Reverse)
Photographed By R. E. Smith, September 2, 2007
3. Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2007, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,897 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on March 13, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 16, 2007, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
