The McMillan building, to all who pass through the main light in Madill can see, opened its doors to First National Bank in 1914. Since that year, it has housed many businesses including an underground nightclub, a pharmaceutical service company, and a medical marijuana dispensary.
The anchoring old building, that is a sign of the times on the Southeast corner of West Lillie and First was erected as the First National Bank in Madill, Okla. – according to the keystone at the top of the building. The bank primarily served the farming and agricultural industry according to a search on the Oklahoma Historical Society website.
One local resident recalled stories of an underground night club during the Roaring 20’s and prohibition supplying liquor only to club members. Another local said “the building has an even seedier history, and rumor has it this was not the only building partaking in this sort of business.” The underground nightclub was no tabloid rumpus but must have used an invisible sign alerting patrons just what type of extra services were offered by the business.
During the late 1980s, the McMillan building was also home to a pharmaceutical related company. Many recall the sign on the building “RPMS” – a company that was started in 1987 and vacated the building a few years back. With the recent court rulings allowing medical marijuana, the building has given way to a new business and a new industry for Oklahoma as well. The brand new sign for Texoma Hemp Corner reads “Medical wellness center” not only defining the nature of THC’s business but also bearing a sign of the times.
As the signs on the McMillan building have changed throughout time, both descriptive and literal, the structure itself proves that well-built things can house many businesses and withstand all the “Signs of The Times” from cash to booze and pills to pot, all accolades of Marshall county.