Baker City in Baker County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

First National Bank Building

Baker City Historic District

— Established 1874 —

First National Bank Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 28, 2017

1. First National Bank Building Marker

Inscription. When constructed, this building was the third bank building to occupy this site. J.W. Virtue, a pioneer gold mining entrepreneur, built the first bank in 1873. It was the first stone building on Main Street. The building was ruined by a fire in 1888. The following year, a new building was completed for the First National Bank. The bank owners replaced that building with this structure in the early 1900s.

When Virtue’s bank was demolished, workmen opened the cornerstone and found the skull of Bogs Greenwood, a murderer who was hanged on an area ranch in 1864. Inside the skull was a biography of the outlaw written by Dr. T.N. Snow, a local physician.

Erected by Historic Baker City, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Events. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 44° 46.565′ N, 117° 49.8′ W. Marker is in Baker City, Oregon, in Baker County. It is on Main Street near Court Avenue when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1841 Main Street, Baker City OR 97814, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in Eastern Oregon.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Walker Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Mint-Fox Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Kennedy Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Haskell Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Log Cabin Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); Alfred Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Mann Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Shoemaker Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baker City.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Gerstle-Solomon Building (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 28, 2017

2. First National Bank Building Marker

The marker is on the corner of the building.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 733 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 6, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.