Cisco in Eastland County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

First National Bank

Photographed By Duane Hall, January 22, 2018

1. First National Bank Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Scene of daring Santa Claus Bank Robbery, Dec. 23, 1927.
During Christmas festivities, costumed Santa and three fellow bandits looted bank of $12,200 cash, $150,000 in securities. They escaped through gun battle with two little girls as hostages. A three-day manhunt followed.
The children and money were recovered; the robbers captured. Six persons were killed, eight injured. Later a mob lynched “Santa” when he broke out of jail.

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark – 1967

Erected 1967 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 1782.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is December 23, 1927.

Location. 32° 23.305′ N, 98° 58.777′ W. Marker is in Cisco, Texas, in Eastland County. Marker can be reached from Conrad Hilton Boulevard north of E. 8th Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cisco TX 76437, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Bankhead Highway (about 300 feet away, measured in a

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direct line); First Baptist Church of Cisco (about 500 feet away); Old Mobley Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away); First United Methodist Church of Cisco (approx. ¼ mile away); First Presbyterian Church of Cisco (approx. ¼ mile away); Oakwood Cemetery (approx. 0.7 miles away); Cisco College (approx. 0.9 miles away); Dothan Cemetery (approx. 7.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cisco.

Also see . . . Santa Claus Bank Robbery. From the Texas State Historical Association's "Handbook of Texas Online". Includes a photograph of the First National Bank building near the time of the robbery. (Submitted on January 30, 2018.)

Site of the Santa Claus Robbery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, January 22, 2018

2. Site of the Santa Claus Robbery

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2018, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 580 times since then and 154 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 30, 2018, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.