First National Bank Building

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about the First National Bank Building in McKinney, Collin County. Now settle in, because this one starts with a man who apparently had no intention of slowing down. Francis Emerson, born in 1815, still at it in 1905, founded a banking firm right here in McKinney back in 1869.

That's the seed of the whole thing. And that firm didn't just sit still. By 1882, it had grown into the First National Bank, which is where our building's story really kicks into gear.

First National bought this very site in 1912, and what they put up on it was no modest little storefront. This was a classical revival style building; the kind of structure that says, in no uncertain terms, we are not going anywhere. Glazed bricks.

Massive columns. Cast stone classical details. And perched up top, a gilded eagle, keepin' watch over McKinney like it owned the place.

Which, in a manner of speaking, the bank did. Now here's where the story gets interesting, because a building that grand tends to attract company. Collin County National Bank, founded in 1883, moved in and occupied the building from 1935 all the way to 1958.

Then, without missin' much of a beat, First Savings and Loan Association took up residence from 1958 to 1973. One building, multiple chapters, every one of them with money on its mind. Francis Emerson started with a banking firm in 1869, and what grew from that eventually produced a gilded eagle standing watch over a Collin County street.

Not a bad legacy for a man who just wouldn't quit.

What the marker says

Entrepreneur Francis Emerson (1815-1905) founded a McKinney banking firm in 1869, which developed into the First National Bank in 1882. First National bought this site in 1912 and built this classical revival style building. Glazed bricks and massive columns support classical details of cast stone and a gilded eagle. Collin County National Bank, founded in 1883, occupied the building from 1935 to 1958. First Savings and Loan Association officed here from 1958 to 1973. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1986