H.R. No. 1789
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Cameron and Milam County
celebrated the dedication of an official Texas Historical Marker
honoring the First National Bank of Cameron on May 5, 2011; and
WHEREAS, One of the first banks in Texas to receive a national
charter, the First National Bank of Cameron opened for business on
August 22, 1889; it operated out of rented space until 1891, when
its original building was completed in downtown Cameron at the
corner of First and Houston Streets; and
WHEREAS, First National was organized by a group of local
entrepreneurs who wanted to provide the growing community with a
sound financial institution that would help local farms and
businesses succeed; chief among the founders was John M. Hefley, a
prominent farmer, rancher, and businessman, who invested the
$50,000 that served as the bank's original capital; Mr. Hefley was
elected as the bank's first president, a position he held, except
for a brief interval, until his death on December 20, 1903; and
WHEREAS, First National experienced slow, steady growth
until the early 1920s, when oil was discovered in Milam County and
cotton prices hit a record high; as the city and county boomed, so
did the bank; this increased prosperity allowed it to construct a
new, modern building at its downtown location; after the original
structure was demolished, a state-of-the-art facility was
completed on March 3, 1921; the central feature of the new bank was
its 22,000-pound vault; the bank continues to operate from this
building, which has undergone extensive renovations and updates
over the years; and
WHEREAS, With the onset of the Great Depression, many banks
in Milam County closed their doors, but First National was able to
weather the hard times; in 1933 it completed a reorganization to
ensure that it would remain stable and strong; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its history, First National has
benefited from the vision and skillful leadership of its
presidents; since 1998, it has been ably guided by Richard
Williams, under whom it has continued to serve the community and
prosper; the bank has extended its holdings in the area and now has
branches in Rockdale, Giddings, Rosebud, and Bastrop; in order to
unite all of its locations under one name, the board of trustees
renamed the system Classic Bank in November 2007; and
WHEREAS, For nearly 122 years, this venerable institution has
contributed to the growth and financial security of Cameron and
Milam County, and recognition by the Texas Historical Commission is
a fitting tribute to its vital role in the community; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the dedication of a Texas Historical
Marker at the First National Bank of Cameron and extend to all those
associated with the bank sincere best wishes for continued success;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the bank as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Schwertner
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1789 was adopted by the House on May
19, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House