Abbeville in Abbeville County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Old Bank Building (ca. 1865)
Bank lobby features series of 1922 paintings by Wilbur Kurtz depicting a hundred years of Abbeville's history from Gen. Andrew Pickens to Jefferson Davis' Last War Council Meeting.
(Remained a bank until end of 1995 when donated to the City by Nations Bank.)
Erected by Abbeville County Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina, Abbeville County Historical Society/Commission, and the South Carolina, Abbeville Historical Sites Tour series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.
Location. 34° 10.633′ N, 82° 22.733′ W. Marker is in Abbeville, South Carolina, in Abbeville County. Marker is on Court Square (State Highway 20) north of West Pickens Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is directly across the square from the Humane Society Alliance Fountain, mounted to the left of the bank's front entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 107 Court Square, Abbeville SC 29620, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Humane Society Alliance Fountain (1912) (within shouting distance of this marker); "Big Bob" (within shouting distance of this marker); Abbeville Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Abbeville County Confederate Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); The Law Offices of John C. Calhoun (within shouting distance of this marker); Abbeville Opera House (1908) (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lynching of Anthony Crawford / Racial Violence in South Carolina (within shouting distance of this marker); Belmont Inn (1903) (within shouting distance of this marker); Abbeville County Courthouse (1908) (within shouting distance of this marker); Major Thomas Dry Howie (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abbeville.
More about this marker. The Old Bank Building is included in the South Carolina Heritage Corridor. The usual Heritage Corridor marker is inside, near the entrance to the vault. Text and photos are shown below.
Regarding Old Bank Building (ca. 1865). The Old Bank Building is one of the properties listed on the original application for Abbeville District to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. While the interior has been altered to include the a visitor's center, the vault remains as do many of the original features such as the floor tile and marble accents. The Old Bank Building is home to the visitor's center, Chamber of Commerce, and the Abbeville Hall of Fame. It is the first stop on the Abbeville Historical Sites Tour.
Also see . . .
1. Abbeville Historic District. The Abbeville Historic District is comprised of a large portion of the city of Abbeville, the county seat of Abbeville County, South Carolina. Of the 528 properties in the district, 319 contribute to its historical character. (Submitted on September 29, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. Wilbur G. Kurtz. Wilbur George Kurtz, who became known nationally as a Georgia artist-historian and a foremost authority on the Old South, humerously counted himself a "transplanted Yankee." (Submitted on October 10, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
3. Wilbur George Kurtz (1882-1967). Although he was born, reared, and educated in the heart of the Midwest, Wilbur George Kurtz, Sr., was an artist almost entirely identified with the South, especially his adopted home state of Georgia. (Submitted on June 23, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
1. Bank of the State of South Carolina
Two-story, stuccoed brick bank building with central, double door entrance flanked by paired, modern one-over-one windows. First story bays are defined by stuccoed pilasters. Above each of the first story bays is a semicircular plaster decoration.
Second story windows are two-over-two with paneled shutters. The metal cornice terminates in large brackets and has a dentil course. (Source: Abbeville Historic District National Register nomination form.)
— Submitted November 15, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
2. Old Bank Building: Abbeville's Home of Culture and History Marker
The Abbeville Welcome Center is located in this former bank. While visiting, take time to view the 1922 Wilbur Kurtz art collection and pick up information on Abbeville County's many historic and natural history sites.
Named after the city in France, Abbeville County has a rich historical and cultural heritage. The town of abbeville, the county seat, is known for its quaint tree-lined square with brick streets; the famous 1908 historic Opera House and its companion building, the Courthouse; the historic "pink" church, Trinity Episcopal, with its soring spire; the fine Victorian homes like the Burt-Stark Mansion, a National Historic Landmark. The town of Due West is home to the 19th century Erskine College campus. Explore the county's natural resources and sample a variety of outdoor activities such as those found on Russell Lake, at Calhoun Falls State Recreation Area located on the lake shore, and Parsons Mountain in the Sumter National Forest.
The Grange
Constructed from local field stone as a WPA project in 1935 for the "Patrons of Husbandry."
Richard B. Russell Dam
The US Army Corps of Engineers began construction in 1976 to control flooding on this section of the Savannah River. The 26,650-acre lake reached full pool in 1984 and offers a wide range of outdoor activities.
Parsons Mountain
As one of several recreation areas in the Sumter National Forest, Parsons Mountain offers an extensive network of biking trails, a 26-mile horse trail, camping and swimming.
Calhoun Falls State Recreation Area
Located on the shores of Richard B. Russell Lake, the park contains a marina, boat ramps, campsites, meeting facility, swimming area and nature trails.
Erskine College
Located in the scenic town of Due West, this school was founded by the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in 1839 and today is known for its high academic standards.
Trinity Episcopal Church
Built in the Gothic revival Style in 1860, this pink stuccoed brick structure is known for its stained glass windows and working 1860 Baker Tracker Organ.
— Submitted October 10, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
3. Benjamin Smith Barnwell
Benjamin Smith Barnwell — Bank cashier. Son of William and Sara (Gibbs) Barnwell of Beaufort, South Carolina. Was born February 8, 1834. He attended the Beaufort College several years. He married Mary Anna McCaslan of Abbeville County, December 10, 1867. For several years before the Civil War. he was in the counting house in Charleston and since the war he has been engaged in the mercantile business for fifteen years. In 1885 he established the National Bank of Abbeville, and has been cashier since that time. (Men of the Time - Schetches of Living Notables, A Biographical Encyclopedia of Contemporaneous South Carolina Leaders by J.C. GARL1NGTON (1902), pg 18.)
— Submitted October 10, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,411 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 29, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on November 14, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 10, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 8. submitted on May 9, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 9, 10. submitted on November 15, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 11. submitted on December 25, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 12. submitted on November 15, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.