First State Bank of Rankin

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker says about the First State Bank of Rankin, out there in Upton County. Now, Rankin itself was founded in 1911, sitting right along the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railroad. For a spell it was just another West Texas town, doing what West Texas towns do.

But then, between 1923 and 1926, four immense oil fields were discovered in its trade area, and friend, that changed everything. Local business expanded greatly, and a growing town with growing money needs somewhere to put that money. So on June 4th, 1927, the First State Bank of Rankin opened its doors.

Upton County's very first financial institution. Now let's talk about the folks who made it run. John F.

Lane, described as a business and civic leader, stepped in as president. J. P.

Rankin, a rancher, served as vice president. The board of directors read like a who's who of the trade: Harry Baldwin, oil man. T.

J. Murphy, rancher. G.

W. Newberry, merchant. W.

M. Noelke, rancher. And B.

S. Taylor, merchant. And holding down the cashier's desk, the man who kept the books straight from day one, W.

H. Holcombe. Oil, cattle, and commerce, all walking into the same building on the same June morning in 1927.

That's Rankin.

What the marker says

Founded in 1911 on the Kansas City, Mexico & Orient Railroad, the town of Rankin saw for immense oil fields discovered in its trade area in 1923-1926. Local business expanded greatly. The first state bank of Rankin-- Upton County's first financial institution-- opened June 4,1927. Original officers were John F. Lane, business and civic leader, president; J. P. Rankin, rancher, vice president. Directors: Harry Baldwin, oil man; T. J. Murphy, Rancher; G. W. Newberry, merchant; W. M. Noelke, rancher; B. S. Taylor, merchant. W. H. Holcombe served as the bank's first cashier.