Hallettsville in Lavaca County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

First National Bank of Hallettsville

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 10, 2026

1. First National Bank of Hallettsville Marker

Inscription.

Oldest bank in Lavaca County; has operated in this city block continuously since its establishment by Friench Simpson (1848-1923) and Carey Shaw (1854-1944), former employees of the J. H. Simpson Bank, Columbus. Shaw was also one of the original officers in the Texas Bankers Association, founded in 1885.

In 1888, the San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railroad was being built through Hallettsville. When S. A. A. P. construction gang reached here, the need for a local bank became apparent, and Simpson and Shaw organized "The Lavaca Bank" as a private institution, opening for business in southeast corner of the Kroschel General Merchandise Store, in this block.

In 1890, they chartered the Lavaca County National Bank of Hallettsville, and took over entire Kroschel Building. In this bank, Shaw was President; T. Y. Hill, Vice President; Friench Simpson, Cashier; H. M. Tippett, Assistant Cashier; Joe Kahn and T. H. James, Directors.

Present name was adopted at bank's rechartering on May 21, 1910. Carey Shaw continued as a director until 1909; Friench Simpson until October 13, 1914. Succeeding generations of the Simpson family

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have also served in staff and management. New building, erected 1973, occupies the original site and adjacent lots.

Erected 1973 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 1797.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 29° 26.668′ N, 96° 56.599′ W. Marker is in Hallettsville, Texas, in Lavaca County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street and East 3rd Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 South Main Street, Hallettsville TX 77964, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 50th Anniversary of Battle of Galveston

Photographed by Brian Anderson, December 31, 2018

2. First National Bank of Hallettsville Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Lavaca County Fallen Heroes (within shouting distance of this marker); Lavaca County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); The Kahn & Stanzel Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hallettsville (about 400 feet away); Cole Theatre (about 500 feet away); Site of the Alma Male and Female Institute (about 800 feet away); Sacred Heart Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hallettsville.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, December 31, 2018

3. First National Bank of Hallettsville Marker

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 10, 2026

4. First National Bank of Hallettsville Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2019, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 442 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 13, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on January 3, 2019, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 4. submitted on April 13, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.