El Sobrante in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

El Sobrante's First Bank

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 26, 2016

1. El Sobrante's First Bank Marker

Inscription. A branch of Mechanics Bank opened at this location in May 1955. Aside from its added faux roof façade and wall graphics, the building itself is a nice example of mid-century modern architecture, a recognized genre passionately preserved in many communities. In 1976, Mechanics Bank broke ground on a new facility two-hundred feet south where, as of 2014, it remains.

Erected 2014 by El Sobrante Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1955.

Location. 37° 57.896′ N, 122° 18.83′ W. Marker is in El Sobrante, California, in Contra Costa County. It is on San Pablo Dam Road near Hillcrest Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3826 San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante CA 94803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Arrival of the Strip Mall (within shouting distance of this marker); Cowboy Country (within shouting distance of this marker); Park Theatre (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); El Sobrante's First Full-service Post Office (about 400 feet away); Ranchos to Ranches (about 600 feet away);

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

First Supermarket (about 700 feet away); El Sobrante Chevrolet Service (approx. 0.2 miles away); Oliver's Hardware & Service Station (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in El Sobrante.

Additional commentary.
1. Badly Faded
I went to visit this marker along with a number of nearby markers in El Cerrito and El Sobrante. Sadly, many of these markers are badly faded and unreadable at this time. We are thankful for the pictures that were previously submitted.

— Submitted March 9, 2026, by Rover Spotts of San Francisco, California.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 26, 2016

2. El Sobrante's First Bank Marker

El Sobrante's First Bank Marker (2026) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rover Spotts, March 7, 2026

3. El Sobrante's First Bank Marker (2026)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 400 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 28, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on March 9, 2026, by Rover Spotts of San Francisco, California.