First National Bank of Wills Point

Shortly after the arrival of the railroad caused an economic boom in the Wills Point area, a private bank was founded by John E. Owens in 1879. It was granted a Federal bank charter in 1895. Following a state and federal bank holiday in 1933, the First National Bank and the First State Bank declared a merger. Operating under the name of First National Bank, their facilities were located at North Fourth Street. For nearly fifty years the First National Bank was the primary financial institution in Wills Point. The bank assisted families in the aftermath of natural disasters, and with other financial needs its officers and staff supported a variety of community and civic organizations, and have served as members of the school board. Bank officers served as elected officials such as county judge, mayor, city treasurer and as council members. The First National Bank moved its operations to new facilities on Commerce Street in 1983. Electronic and technical improvements have been added through the years. The bank continues to meet the needs of the community as it has for more than 100 years. (1996) Incise on base: Dorothy Bateman Barnes, Research Historian

First National Bank of Wills Point is a historical marker in Wills Point, Van Zandt County. It is one of 84 historical markers documented in Van Zandt County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 169 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.7099, -96.0102 near Wills Point. The nearest cataloged historic site is First Baptist Church of Wills Point (historical marker), about 0.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include First Christian Church of Wills Point, Wills Point Schools, and McKain Family Home.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5467011410. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.