Oroville in Butte County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

First Banking Institution in Ophir

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 6, 2009

1. First Banking Institution in Ophir Marker

Inscription.
This tablet commemorates
the establishment
of the
First Banking Institution
in
Ophir
now
Oroville
which was located on this site
and occupied by
McWilliams & Tymeson -
G.A. Emery - Geo. Faulkner & Co. 1855-1865
Rideout Smith & Co. 1866-1912
Rideout Smith National Bank 1912-1922
Bank of Italy 1922-1927
and since March, 1927
by the
Bank of Italy
National Trust and Savings Association

Dedicated
to the
Pioneers of California
by
Gold Ophir Parlor No. 190 N.D.G.W.
and
Argonaut Parlor No. 8 N.S.G.W.

Placed May 7, 1927
by the
Bank of Italy
National Trust and Savings Association

Erected 1927 by Ophir Parlor No. 190 of the Native Daughters of the Golden West and Argonaut Parlor No. 8 of the Native Sons of the Golden West.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 17, 1927.

Location. 39° 30.848′ N, 121° 33.336′ W. Marker is in Oroville, California, in Butte County. Marker is at the intersection of Myers Street and Mongomery Street, on the right when traveling north on Myers Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oroville CA 95965, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of First Oroville Bank (a few steps from this marker); The American (a few steps from this marker); Site of Boehme & Heep Saloon (a few steps from this marker); First Pharmacy (within shouting distance of this marker); First Liberty Pole In The West (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Edison Building (about 300 feet away); Historic Oroville Inn (about 400 feet away); Gray Nurse Hardware (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oroville.

More about this marker. The marker is located on the Myers Street side of the corner of the Eagle Building.

Regarding First Banking Institution in Ophir.

• Per their Facebook page, "Argonaut Parlor No. 8 is the third oldest parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West still in existence--California Parlor No. 1, located in San Francisco and instituted on July 11, 1875, and Stockton Parlor No. 7, instituted on March 12, 1881, are the only other parlors older than Argonaut No. 8 that remain active."

• Armstrong and Denny's Financial California: An Historical Review of the Beginnings and Progress Of... note that, "...In 1866 the private banking firm of Rideout and Smith of Marysville was established also in Oroville and began a successful career. The bank was later incorporated as the Bank of Rideout, Snith & Co., but the decadence of mining for a period of time much lessened the scale of operations, which, however, later

Bank of Italy, Oroville image. Click for full size.

Unknown, Courtesy of the Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 1920s?

2. Bank of Italy, Oroville

The Bank of Italy, founded by A.P. Giannini in San Francisco in 1904, is now better known as the Bank of America.

expanded to a new high record. N.D. Rideout was president until his death in 1907, when the presidency was assumed by his widow, Phebe M. Rideout, a lady distinguished by marked ability. The bank prospered with the splendid industrial and horticultural development that came to the Oroville region...."

Eagle Building (formerly Bank of Italy Building), Oroville image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 6, 2009

3. Eagle Building (formerly Bank of Italy Building), Oroville

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,806 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 21, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.