Kingston Bank gets honored
A few days ago the First National Bank building at the light on Hwy 70 in Kingston finally made the 2021 list of most endangered places in Oklahoma with the Preservation Oklahoma group. Gary Henry, an area historian, did the building a big favor and filled out the necessary paperwork and submitted it for consideration.
His efforts were rewarded and the First National Bank building – erected in 1905 – made the list. The building is number five on a list of ten. Giving the fact that the building is one hundred and fifteen years old is reason enough to dig a little deeper into its history and reveal a little about the goings on in the year 1905.
Preservation Oklahoma website says, “inclusion on the list does not guarantee protection of the building but may increase restoration efforts and possibly ensure its longevity.” Preservation Oklahoma is, “doing all they can to advocate for these landmarks.”
The old Bank building opened in 1905 and remained until 1935. It was one of many National Banks built in Indian Territory. From 1905 to 1909, the bank actually printed its own bills in house and printed about $14,500.00 worth in $10 and $20 bills referred to as Red Seal Territory bills. According to an internet search of collector bills, any that survive from this time period printed at the bank are worth in excess of $10,000 per bill.
To bring things into perspective in the year of 1905, here are some interesting facts: Kingston was actually Helen, Indian Territory within the Chickasaw Nation in Pickens County. White settlers owned most of the individual land in Indian Territory by way of “The Land Run.” The Sequoyah Convention was in full force to bring about a separate State for I.T.
The Dawes Act was in full process giving way to land allotments and making way for Oklahoma to be a state. Theodore Roosevelt was President of the United States of America and his inaugural parade held in 1905 included six Indian Chiefs – Quanah Parker Comanche Chief, Buckskin Charlie Ute Chief, American Horse Sioux Chief, Little Plume Blackfeet Chief, Hollow Horne Bear Sioux Chief, and Geronimo Apache Chief. Albert Einstein formulated his Theory of Relativity. Las Vegas Nevada was established. America endured the last last Yellow Fever Pandemic. Forty-six automobile companies were in production, and the average cost per vehicle was $1000.00 each yet the average yearly wage was $430.00. Abroad, France declared law on separation of Church and State, and Russia was in the middle of a revolution.
In a thorough search of local records, little to nothing of the bank’s construction could be found. In light of this however, Gary Henry has included a picture of the Bank in the year 1905 on the “Marshall County Oklahoma History and Memories internet page” in his recent post along with some great information about the Bank and other businesses that have resided in the bank building since its origination.
Still standing after all these years, the First National Bank building has towered gallantly over the intersection in Kingston for a century and fifteen years. It has seen the rise and fall of many other buildings around it yet somehow the footing has supported, and the mortar held together much more than just a building.
It has paved the way to a statue of preservation and a symbol of where Kingston and Marshall County has emerged and remains an icon for the future. Marshall County is fortunate to have such a historical building as well as fortunate to have someone to execute its preservation. Thank you First National Bank building, thank you Preservation Oklahoma, and many thanks to Gary Henry for executing this action. May the old Building stand another century.