Paris in Lamar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
First National Bank of Paris
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 21, 2016
1. First National Bank of Paris Marker
Organized and opened for business at its present location in 1886 by William J. McDonald (1844-1926), Civil War veteran and lawyer. Earlier he had opened the Citizens Bank of Clarksville and in 1889 he established a Delta County Bank. Under his shrewd leadership the banks prospered. Although careful in the granting of loans, he was also lenient about their repayment and seldom foreclosed. Aside from McDonald, the original stockholders included George F. Hicks, A. G. Hubbard, Edward Reuss, and R. F. Scott, Sr. McDonald was bank president for many years and upon his death, left the bulk of his estate to the University of Texas to erect an observatory. In 1939 McDonald Observatory, in West Texas, was dedicated.
Present bank building was completed in 1916, but less than 3 months later was gutted by a ruinous city-wide fire. Within the year, however, it was restored.
Throughout the years, the bank has been a bulwark of the area's economy. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, its loans enabled many merchants and farmers to stay in business. In 1951 the bank portion of the building was remodeled. The present
Photographed By Brian Anderson, November 21, 2021
2. First National Bank of Paris Marker Missing
this page online
Erected 1969 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 8195.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 33° 39.689′ N, 95° 33.438′ W. Marker was in Paris, Texas, in Lamar County. Marker was at the intersection of 1st Street NW (Business U.S. 271) and Bonham Street (Business U.S. 82), on the right when traveling south on 1st Street NW. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 1st Street NW, Paris TX 75460, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. John James Culbertson (within shouting distance of this marker); The Paris Fire, 1916 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lamar County, C. S. A. (about 300 feet away); Lamar County Courthouse (about 400 feet away); Paris (about 600 feet away); Paris Fire Department (approx. 0.2 miles away); Robert Cooke Buckner (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Paris.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 21, 2016
3. Former location of the First National Bank of Paris.
Building being renovated for shops, a restaurant, a café and luxury apartments.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 405 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 9, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 2. submitted on November 29, 2021, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. 3. submitted on September 9, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
