Cameron in Milam County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
First National Bank of Cameron
Photographed By Brian Anderson, January 26, 2019
1. First National Bank of Cameron Marker
Inscription.
First National Bank of Cameron. . Two banks operated in Cameron prior to the establishment of the First National Bank. The Buckholts Exchange Commission, a small frontier deposit office, faltered during the Civil War, and the Milam County Bank closed during the panic of 1895. On August 22, 1889, the First National Bank of Cameron opened its doors for business in a rented building, while construction commenced on a permanent bank structure at the corner of First Street and Houston Avenue. John M. Hefley and other businessmen realized the necessity of a new financial institution for the growing town of Cameron, and they began the bank with $50,000 capital. Hefley was elected as the bank’s first president, and continued to serve as a director and stockholder until his death in 1903., The bank grew slowly at first, but record cotton prices and the discovery of oil in the county during the late 1910s and early 1920s helped the bank to develop. The bank temporarily relocated to the former post office building during construction of a newer, larger structure at the bank’s original site in 1921. Although the bank reorganized during the Great Depression, it remained open, unlike several other banks in Milam County. As a product of the reorganization, the bank was renamed First National Bank in Cameron., In 2007, the bank’s name changed again to Classic Bank, to reflect the expansion of its holdings to several cities which already had First National Banks. Today, the institution that began as the First National Bank of Cameron continues to serve the citizens of its community.
Two banks operated in Cameron prior to the establishment of the First National Bank. The Buckholts Exchange Commission, a small frontier deposit office, faltered during the Civil War, and the Milam County Bank closed during the panic of 1895. On August 22, 1889, the First National Bank of Cameron opened its doors for business in a rented building, while construction commenced on a permanent bank structure at the corner of First Street and Houston Avenue. John M. Hefley and other businessmen realized the necessity of a new financial institution for the growing town of Cameron, and they began the bank with $50,000 capital. Hefley was elected as the bank’s first president, and continued to serve as a director and stockholder until his death in 1903.
The bank grew slowly at first, but record cotton prices and the discovery of oil in the county during the late 1910s and early 1920s helped the bank to develop. The bank temporarily relocated to the former post office building during construction of a newer, larger structure at the bank’s original site in 1921. Although the bank reorganized during the Great Depression, it remained open, unlike several other banks in Milam County. As a product of the reorganization, the bank was renamed First National Bank in Cameron.
In 2007, the bank’s name changed again to Classic Bank,
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to reflect the expansion of its holdings to several cities which already had First National Banks. Today, the institution that began as the First National Bank of Cameron continues to serve the citizens of its community.
Erected 2010 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16507.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is August 22, 1889.
Location. 30° 51.055′ N, 96° 58.644′ W. Marker is in Cameron, Texas, in Milam County. Marker is at the intersection of North Houston Avenue and West 1st Street, on the right when traveling south on North Houston Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 North Houston Avenue, Cameron TX 76520, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 162 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 30, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.