The State Bank of Table Rock
is table rock going to have that bank?
December 2, 1882 Argus. At the top of the social snippets: "Is Table Rock going to have that bank?"
According to a history of the State Bank of Table Rock from “Hassler’s – History of Pawnee County 1896,”another bank pre-dated it. No name is given. It is simply said that the "first bank in this town was started by W. M. Forbes and Wheelock." It was then succeeded by the State Bank of Table Rock.
"Is Table Rock going to have that bank?" Something was in the works in 1882. 1885 -- State Bank of Table Rock founded
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1892 -- bank building constructed
Hassler's said, "In 1892, a fine two story brick building was erected at a cost of $5,500, which was used as the bank’s home."
Photo 202, below, probably shows the bank in 1893, when it was a year old.
The basis for dating the photo: The bank was built in 1892 the Opera House and the building on its north side (now the Legion Hall) in 1893. The Opera House is here but not the Legion Hall. So, it appears that this photo was taken some time in 1893.
There are a lot of men out front. There were a lot of people in Table Rock, almost 700 in town. Pawnee County had a population of over 10,000 then. (In 2010 it was less than 3,000.)
Photo 202, below, probably shows the bank in 1893, when it was a year old.
The basis for dating the photo: The bank was built in 1892 the Opera House and the building on its north side (now the Legion Hall) in 1893. The Opera House is here but not the Legion Hall. So, it appears that this photo was taken some time in 1893.
There are a lot of men out front. There were a lot of people in Table Rock, almost 700 in town. Pawnee County had a population of over 10,000 then. (In 2010 it was less than 3,000.)
1892 - Interior of the new bank finished "in an elegant manner"
Hassler's 1896 history said of the "fine" building that cost $5,500, "It is finished throughout in an
elegant manner, the counters being made of birch wood. The valuables of this institution are safely
ensconced in a Diebold safe surrounded by a strong brick vault, which makes it
perfectly secure. It is supplied with
all the appliances for safe and conservative banking." Photo 183 below shows the interior of the bank decades later, but probably much the same as it was in 1896.
According to Hassler's, the bank started with a capital of $10,000. The capital, and quickly the surplus, were commonly advertised, as can be seen in some of the many advertisements that have appeared in the Argus, below.
A city directory in 1911
Document 42: A 1911 Pocket Directory contained business advertisements, including one for the State Bank of Table Rock.
the bank building at the corner has long been an anchor for the town
Photo 202, some fun excerpts:
Photo 408, some fun excerpts
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It has also been a place from which to view the town.
Some fun excerpts from Photo 154:

December 1955