Laredo in Webb County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Laredo National Bank
The bank prospered and was chartered by the U.S. Treasury as the Laredo National Bank in 1895. The bank's initial success was sustained by Mexican trade, local Bermuda onion production in the 1890s, and commercial activity associated with the production of oil in the area during the early 1900s.
The bank continued to prosper during the Mexican Revolution (1910-1917), due partially to increased U.S. military activity in the area. By 1922 Laredo National Bank boasted $2 million in assets.
Sound fiscal policies allowed the bank to emerge from the 1930s depression on solid ground. In 1979-1983 this building (former site of the Robert E. Lee and Plaza Hotels) was renovated for use as the bank's headquarters.
Erected 1995 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3037.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1755.
Location. 27° 30.33′ N, 99° 30.293′ W. Marker is in Laredo, Texas, in Webb County. Marker is at the intersection of San Bernardo Avenue and Hidalgo Street, on the left when traveling north on San Bernardo Avenue. The marker is located at the front entrance to the bank. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 San Bernardo Avenue, Laredo TX 78040, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Laredo Fire Department (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); City Hall and Market House (about 400 feet away); Laredo's Washington's Birthday Celebration (about 600 feet away); Webb County (approx. 0.2 miles away); Webb County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Ramón Family (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Augustine Parochial School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Laredo Election Riot, 1886 (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Laredo.
Also see . . . Laredo, TX. Texas State Historical Association
Laredo is on the Rio Grande in southwestern Webb County in South Texas, about 150 miles southwest of San Antonio and 135 miles west of Corpus Christi. It is served by Interstate Highway 35, U.S. highways 59 and 83, State Highway 359, Ranch Road 1472, and the Missouri Pacific and Texas Mexican railroads. This cosmopolitan city is a major port of entry for international trade and tourism between the United States and Mexico. Laredo was established in 1755, when Tomás Sánchez de la Barrera y Garza was granted permission by José de Escandón to form a new settlement about thirty miles upriver from Nuestra Señora de los Dolores Hacienda in what is now Zapata County.(Submitted on August 3, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 256 times since then and 101 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 3, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.