Central Oklahoma City in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

T.M. Richardson and the Oklahoma Bank

— The ‘89er Trail —

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 21, 2019

1. T.M. Richardson and the Oklahoma Bank Marker

Inscription.
Lumberman, Banker, and Business Leader

On the afternoon of April 22, T.M. Richardson, and his son T.M. Jr., from Albany, Texas, staked a claim at the northeast corner of Clarke Street (later Grand, and today Sheridan) and Harvey, where the Devon Tower stands today. This became the site of the Jones and Richardson Lumber Company, which would soon be the largest lumber company in the region.

At the southwest corner of Broadway and Main Street, he purchased a lot and opened the Oklahoma Bank, arguably the first in the new city, in a tent. The next year it was given the name First National Bank, and within a few years Richardson had built a three story building for the bank on the same corner.

He was a founding member of the Board of Trade, its first treasurer, and a member of the railroad and finance committee. His First National Bank would live on through panics, recessions, mergers, and takeovers until it became a

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part of Bank of America in the 1980s.

Photo captions: Top left: The Jones and Richardson Lumber Yard was located between Main and Grand along Harvey Street. Research Division of the Oklahoma Historical Society
Middle: Т.М. Richardson was one of Oklahoma City's early business leaders. Research Division of the Oklahoma Historical Society
Top right: First National Bank circa 1894. Research Division of the Oklahoma Historical Society

Erected 2018 by Oklahoma City Community Foundation, Wiggin Properties. (Marker Number 27.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the The '89er Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 22, 1894.

Location.

T.M. Richardson marker (far left), looking west. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 21, 2019

2. T.M. Richardson marker (far left), looking west.

35° 27.976′ N, 97° 31.048′ W. Marker is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in Oklahoma County. It is in Central Oklahoma City. Marker is on West Sheridan Avenue west of Ron Norick Boulevard, on the left when traveling west. Located at at Myriad Botanical Gardens. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: West Sheridan Avenue, Oklahoma City OK 73102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Henry Overholser (a few steps from this marker); Charles Colcord (within shouting distance of this marker); Visit of the Congressmen (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Resignation of Mayor William L. Couch (about 600 feet away); South Oklahoma (about 700 feet away); A Summer of Political Unrest (approx. 0.2 miles away); City Hall by Forfeiture (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Citizens' Committee (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oklahoma City.

Also see . . . Oklahoma Historical Society on Thomas Meriwether Richardson.

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(Submitted on October 29, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 195 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 29, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.