Farmers and Merchants National Bank

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about the Farmers and Merchants National Bank in Nocona. Now, if you want to talk about staying power, let's talk about Nocona. Because in a world where banks come and go like summer storms, one institution has been standing its ground in continuous operation longer than any other financial institution in that town.

That's the Farmers and Merchants National Bank, and its story starts in 1905. The founding year, 1905. Seven directors gathered for the organizational meeting, and they came with serious money and serious intentions.

The capital stock they put on the table: thirty thousand dollars. They named W.A. McCall as President, a man born in 1845, and by every indication, a man who knew how to hold something together.

He held that bank together right up until his death in 1915. Now, some institutions waver when their founder passes. Not this one.

Because waiting in the wings was W.A.'s son, Cadmus McCall, born in 1876. Cadmus stepped into the presidency and, friend, he did not step out for thirty-eight years. Thirty-eight years.

Let that settle a moment. The world changed enormously in those decades, and Cadmus McCall was sitting at the head of that bank through all of it, serving until 1953. In the early days, the bank had itself a home in the J.A.

Foshee Store, right there at the corner of Oak and Clay Streets. That's where it put down its first roots. Then in 1926, the bank made its move to the location where the marker now stands, and it has been woven into the civic life of Nocona ever since.

Oldest financial institution in continuous operation in Nocona. Founded in 1905. Two McCalls, father and son, carrying it across generations.

Some things, it turns out, are built to last.

What the marker says

The oldest financial institution in continuous operation in Nocona, the Farmers and Merchants National Bank was founded in 1905 with capital stock of $30,000. Seven directors were named at the bank's organizational meeting, and W.A. McCall (1845-1915) was named President. Upon his death, he was succeeded by his son, Cadmus McCall (1876-1953), who served for thirty-eight years. First housed in the J.A. Foshee Store at Oak and Clay Streets, the bank moved to this location in 1926. Throughout its history, the bank has been active in the civic life of Nocona. (1987)