Mount Vernon in Franklin County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Site of the Merchants and Planters National Bank

Organized 1905

— Merged 1932 with the First National Bank of Mount Vernon —

Site of the Merchants and Planters National Bank Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 25, 2018

1. Site of the Merchants and Planters National Bank Marker

Inscription. The present building was erected in 1910 after a fire destroyed the original M&P bank building. The Merchants & Planters Bank and First National Bank merged in March of 1932, during the national "Great Depression," which began in 1929. The Mount Vernon Optic-Herald of March 18, 1932 reported that the merger would "unquestionably give Mount Vernon and Franklin County one of the strongest banks in this section, as both of the banks were in sound condition." As a result of the merger, all banking operations were moved to the First National Bank building on the southeast corner of Main and Kaufman, which currently houses the Franklin County Library.

Following the merger, the building continued to serve the community through a number of functions, including the Mount Vernon Post Office. Under ownership of Hermon and Bennie Connelly, it became the home of Sulphur Springs Loan & Building, Mount Vernon Real Estate & Insurance, and later Jefferson Heritage Bank. In 2001 the operation was purchased by First National Bank, some 69 years after the original merger between First National Bank and Merchants & Planters. The building was renovated in 2005 and continues to serve Franklin County as a First National Bank financial services facility.

"There are just two things necessary to have a Bank account with us — one
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dollar and an inclination to deposit it."
(1907 Merchants & Planters advertisement)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1932.

Location. 33° 11.325′ N, 95° 13.3′ W. Marker is in Mount Vernon, Texas, in Franklin County. Marker is at the intersection of North Kaufman Street (Texas Route 37) and Main Street (U.S. 67), on the right when traveling west on North Kaufman Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 North Kaufman Street, Mount Vernon TX 75457, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Franklin County Courthouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rutherford Drugstore (about 300 feet away); The Wright-Vaughan House (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Baptist Church of Mount Vernon (approx. 0.2 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon (approx. 0.3 miles away); Joshua Foster Johnson (approx. half a mile away); Franklin County (approx. ¾ mile away); Historic Roadside Park (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Vernon.

Marker on the current First National Bank. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 25, 2018

2. Marker on the current First National Bank.

Building a History photo collage, also on the outside of the bank. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 25, 2018

3. Building a History photo collage, also on the outside of the bank.

Current Franklin County Library on far corner - previous First National Bank. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 25, 2018

4. Current Franklin County Library on far corner - previous First National Bank.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 249 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 15, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.