Florence in Omaha in Douglas County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Bank of Florence

Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 8, 2015

1. The Bank of Florence Marker

Inscription. The Bank of Florence was chartered by the Nebraska Territorial legislature on January 18, 1856. It was located in this substantial building, constructed during the same year. Sheet steel one quarter inch thick, shipped by river steamboat from Pennsylvania steel mills, was used in conjunction with three foot thick masonry to build the vault.

The bank was owned and operated by the respected Iowa financial firm of Cook and Sargent. It played an important role in the aspiration of the town Florence to become the leading transportation and financial center of Nebraska. Frontier banking practices were lax and along with other banks in Nebraska Territory the Bank of Florence issued quantities of unsecured "wild cat" currency and financed speculation in land. Weakened by the financial panic of 1857 the Bank failed in 1859. Only one bank in Nebraska survived the Panic.

The building housed a variety of subsequent business operations including a second Bank of Florence which was chartered in 1904. It is now restored as it appeared in territorial times.

Erected by Florence Historical Foundation & Historical Land Mark Council. (Marker Number 50.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce

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. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 18, 1856.

Location. 41° 20.238′ N, 95° 57.65′ W. Marker is in Omaha, Nebraska, in Douglas County. It is in Florence. It is at the intersection of 30th Street and Willit Street, on the left when traveling north on 30th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Omaha NE 68112, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the prairies.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Little Town That Dreamed of Greatness (within shouting distance of this marker); From Indian Lands to the Golden Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); Winter Quarters (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Mormon Pioneer Trail / A Meeting House For The Saints (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Meeting House for the Saints (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Florence Mill (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Road to Zion (approx. 0.4 miles away); Crossroads to the West: (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Omaha.

Other markers no longer nearby. Mormon Pioneer Memorial Bridge (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named The Florence Mill (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .

Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 8, 2015

2. The Bank of Florence Marker

Bank of Florence Museum, Omaha, Nebraska ~ Wikipedia. (Submitted on November 14, 2015, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)

The Bank of Florence image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 8, 2015

3. The Bank of Florence

Credits. This page was last revised on November 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2015, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,024 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 10, 2015, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.