Security Bank and Trust Company

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'm passing it right along to you. Now, some institutions just open their doors and mind their business. And then there are the ones that seem to put down roots so deep, you start to wonder if the town grew up around them.

Security Bank and Trust Company in Wharton is that second kind. But to get there, you have to go back a little further. The story really starts with the Wharton National Bank, the second banking institution to open in the city.

It was organized in 1902, and it ran its course, closing in 1915. Now, that might've been the end of the tale. A lot of things that close in 1915 stay closed.

But not this one. Following reorganization, the bank reopened in January of 1916, this time as Security Bank and Trust Company. And then, in May of 1918, the State of Texas made it official with a charter.

The first officers stepping up to run things were A. A. Mullins, R.

J. Wright, Tom Brooks, and E. Hawes, Sr.

Supporting them on the board of directors were civic leaders and prominent businessmen, men like G. A. Harrison, T.

Gordon, and G. H. Northington, Sr.

That's a formidable room to walk into. And what that room got up to matters. Those directors were instrumental in organizing the Wharton County Youth Fair.

The bank served as a catalyst in the founding of Wharton County Junior College. A bank that helps build a college and organize a county fair for its young people, well, that's not just a place that keeps your money. That's a place that has a stake in what happens next.

Security Bank and Trust continues to serve Wharton and the surrounding communities to this day, actively maintaining its involvement in civic projects. Some institutions just keep the lights on. This one kept the whole county moving.

What the marker says

The Security Bank and Trust Company traces its history to the Wharton National Bank. The second banking institution to open in the city, the Wharton National Bank was organized in 1902, and closed in 1915. Following reorganization, the bank reopened in January 1916 as Security Bank and Trust Company. A State of Texas charter was granted in May 1918. The first officers of the Security Bank and Trust Company were A. A. Mullins, R. J. Wright, Tom Brooks, and E. Hawes, Sr. The institution's board of directors counted among its member's civic leaders and prominent businessmen of the community, including G. A. Harrison, T. Gordon, and G. H. Northington, Sr. The Security Bank and Trust Company has been an important part of Wharton's history since its opening, and has contributed to the community in many ways. Its directors were instrumental in the organization of major civic activities, including the Wharton County Youth Fair, and the bank was a catalyst in the founding of Wharton County Junior College. Security Bank and Trust continues to serve Wharton and the surrounding communities, actively maintaining an involvement in civic projects.