Lake City in Florence County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Palmetto State Bank Robbery

Photographed By Jane Ruschky, May 29, 2017

1. Palmetto State Bank Robbery Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

(side 1)
Constructed in 1907, this building originally housed Farmers and Merchants Bank. In 1934 the newly formed Palmetto State Bank opened here. On Sept. 5, 1934 the bank was robbed by three armed men. The bank had larger than normal deposits on hand because it was the height of tobacco marketing season and the group stole a reported $114,082. Frank English and his wife Geneva were the only people tried for the crime. (Continued on other side) (side 2) (Continued from other side) At trial it was alleged that English was an associate of George "Baby Face" Nelson, and that the notorious criminal was involved in the crime, but that was never proven. Frank English was sentenced to 25 years and Geneva English received one year as an accessory. Palmetto State failed due to the robbery, but depositors were repaid by the newly established FDIC. It was the first time an FDIC insured bank had closed in S.C.

Erected 2014 by Lynches Lake Historical Society. (Marker Number 21-42.)

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listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is September 5, 1934.

Location. 33° 52.381′ N, 79° 45.281′ W. Marker is in Lake City, South Carolina, in Florence County. Marker is at the intersection of West Main Street (Business U.S. 378) and North Acline Avenue, on the right when traveling west on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 West Main Street, Lake City SC 29560, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. H.H. Singletary Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Lake City (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Church Street/Main Street (about 700 feet away); Lake City Produce Markets / Lake City Bean Market (approx. 0.2 miles away); W.T. Askins House (approx. ¼ mile away); Whitehead Infirmary (approx. ¼ mile away); Lake City Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lake City Tobacco Markets / Imperial Tobacco Company (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake City.

Photographed By Jane Ruschky, May 29, 2017

2. Palmetto State Bank Robbery Marker

Photographed By Jane Ruschky, May 29, 2017

3. Palmetto State Bank Robbery Marker

Original bank building

Photographed By Jane Ruschky, May 29, 2017

4. Palmetto State Bank Robbery Marker

View from building

Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2018. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2017, by Jane Ruschky of Columbia, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 813 times since then and 174 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 30, 2017, by Jane Ruschky of Columbia, South Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.