Mount Airy in Surry County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The First National Bank Building

Built 1893

Photographed by Mark Parker, December 30, 2024

1. The First National Bank Building Marker

Inscription. The First National Bank was organized by Thomas Fawcett, who served as the bank's first president. Between 1910 and 1916, the building was slightly remodeled and veneered with rusticated granite blocks. The beautiful McClintock Chime Clock was purchased by the bank in 1948 as a 55th anniversary gift to the people of Mount Airy. The clock chimes the quarter hours, and on the hour plays the sixteen note Westminster Chimes to the prayer: Lord, through this hour, be Thou our guide, so by Thy power, no foot shall slide.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.

Location. 36° 30.061′ N, 80° 36.471′ W. Marker is in Mount Airy, North Carolina, in Surry County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street and Moore Avenue, on the left when traveling south on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 N Main St, Mount Airy NC 27030, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper

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South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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: Carlos Jones Blue Ridge Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The Susan Pendleton Ashby Memory Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); Leonidas Harold "L.H." Jones (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Whittler (about 300 feet away); The Whittling Wall (about 300 feet away); Tommy Jarrell (about 300 feet away); Fred Cockerham (about 300 feet away); Ralph Epperson (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Airy.

More about this marker. The First National Bank building is now the site of the Mt. Airy Visitors Center and the Chamber of Commerce. It is also a contributing building to the Mount

The First National Bank Building Marker on the N. Main St. entrance. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, December 30, 2024

2. The First National Bank Building Marker on the N. Main St. entrance.

Airy Historic District.

Also see . . . Mount Airy Historic District Nomination Form (pdf).

Two-story commercial building, built in 1893 as a brick structure for the First National Bank, but slightly remodeled and veneered with rusticated granite blocks between 1910 and 1916, still for the First National Bank. Granite forms a wide cornice and oversized full-height pilasters on the main and side elevations. A notable four-face copper, brass and colored glass clock is suspended on the building's corner.

(Submitted on January 1, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

The First National Bank Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, December 30, 2024

3. The First National Bank Building

The McClintock Chime Clock is attached to the building on the right

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 251 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 1, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.