Danville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

First State Bank

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 22, 2021

1. First State Bank Marker

Inscription. First State Bank, one of the few banks in Virginia owned by African Americans, opened on 8 Sept. 1919 as the Savings Bank of Danville. By issuing loans to individuals, businesses, and churches, the bank fostered the black community's vitality during the era of segregation. Maceo Conrad Martin (1897-1981) an officer of the bank from 1919 to 1970, became its president in 1951 and was later president of the National Bankers Association. The only black member of a special seven-man grand jury called during Danville's civil rights demonstrations of 1963, Martin issued a lone dissent against the indictments of protesters. First State Bank posted bond for nearly 20 jailed demonstrators.

Erected 2018 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-44.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 8, 1919.

Location. 36° 35.328′ N, 79° 23.598′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It is on North Union Street just north of Spring Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 210 N Union St, Danville VA 24541, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia

and specifically in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

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: Danville's Streetcars (within shouting distance of this marker); Home of Dan River Fabrics (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); This Trough (about 400 feet away); Centennial Celebration of the Danville Tobacco Association (about 400 feet away); Two Centuries of Hotels (about 400 feet away); Millionaires’ Row (about 400 feet away); The Last Capital of the Confederacy (about 400 feet away); Danville's Civil Rights Movement (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 22, 2021

2. First State Bank Marker

First State Bank image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, January 31, 2025

3. First State Bank

Part of the Ruby B. Archie Library's black history month display.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,194 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 25, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on February 22, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.