First National Bank of Orange
Until the industrial revolution reached Orange in the late 1880s, most banking needs in the area were handled through Galveston.The growth of Orange as a lumber center and deep water port, however, necessitated the development of a local banking facility.The organizational meeting for the First National Bank of Orange was held in 1889 at the office of Dr. D. C. Hewson. A board of directors was elected, and their application for a charter was accepted the same year.
A major instrument in Orange's growth as a center for the timber industry, the First National Bank was associated with many of the town's prominent lumbermen. Successful sawmill operator Henry Jacob Lutcher (1836-1912) served on the bank's first board of directors as its president and built the institution's first facility at the corner of Front and Fifth streets. His sons-in-law, William H. Stark (1851-1936) and Dr. Edgar W. Brown (1888-1917), also were members of the board of directors. Among the bank's initial investors were merchant and Texas Legislator Jerome Swinford and shingle mill owner Leopold Miller.
Over the years, the bank has changed locations, names, and investors, but it remains an important part of the city's commercial heritage.
Erected 1984 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11480.)
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 30° 5.626′ N, 93° 44.786′ W. Marker is in Orange, Texas, in Orange County. Marker is on North 16th. Street (State Highway 87) north of West Green Avenue (Business U.S. 90), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 North 16th Street, Orange TX 77630, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Orange Southern Pacific Depot (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Paul's Episcopal Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Orange Chamber of Commerce (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Christian Church of Orange (approx. half a mile away); Lutcher Memorial Church Building (approx. half a mile away); Orange Dairy Company (approx. half a mile away); Homesite of Dr. Edgar William Brown (approx. half a mile away); The City of Orange (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orange.
More about this marker. Located at the current (2019) Wells Fargo Bank, between the main branch building and an ATM kiosk building, in a small landscaped breezeway.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2019, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 480 times since then and 114 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 11, 2019, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.
