Washington County State Bank

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about the Washington County State Bank. Now settle in, because this is a story about timing, and how the difference of a single day can echo for more than a century. James S.

Giddings, born in 1849 and living all the way to 1940, was the principal organizer of this financial institution. The whole thing came about as the result of the creation of a state banking system in 1905. The Texas Legislature set August 13th, 1905 as the official date for filing bank charters.

One problem. August 13th fell on a Sunday. So the first charters weren't filed in Austin until August 14th.

Now, you might think being fifth in line on a Monday morning doesn't sound like much of a distinction. But here's where the story turns. Of the first four state-chartered banks that filed ahead of Washington County State Bank that day, every single one of them has since been dissolved.

Every last one. Which means Washington County State Bank, fifth in line on that August Monday, is the oldest state bank still in operation in Texas. The bank's first officers were H.

K. Harrison as president, James Giddings as cashier, and Alex Simon, Sr., and A. D.

Milroy as vice-presidents. Harrison served as president until his death in 1914. The bank made its home at 115 East Main Street for the first seventy-three years of its existence, then moved to its current site in 1978, continuing to serve Brenham and the surrounding area.

Fifth in line. Last one standing. Not a bad way to run a bank.

What the marker says

James S. Giddings (1849-1940) was the principal organizer of this financial institution, which was established as the result of the creation of a state banking system in 1905. The official date set by the Legislature for filing bank charters was August 13, 1905. Since that date fell on a Sunday, the first charters were filed in Austin on August 14th. Washington County State Bank was the fifth in line that day to receive a charter. Since the first four state-chartered banks have been dissolved, Washington County State Bank is the oldest state bank in operation in Texas. The bank's first officers included H. K. Harrison as president, James Giddings as cashier, and Alex Simon, Sr., and A. D. Milroy as vice-presidents. Harrison served as president until his death in 1914. Washington County State Bank has grown and continues to serve Brenham and the surrounding area. Housed at 115 East Main Street for the first 73 years of its existence. The bank moved to this site in 1978. It retains historical significance as an early participant in the state-chartered banking system. (1985)