First National Bank Building

Designed by Charles A. Gill of Dallas and built in 1906, the First National Bank is a particularly fine example of the small-scale Neo-Classical Revival buildings erected throughout Texas after the turn of the century and often associated with banks. Follow- ing a residential boom in the 1890s, Terrell experienced a similar increase in commercial and institutional building in the early 1900s. The Bank is one of only two buildings from this important period that has survived and which has not been significantly altered. The First National Bank was organized in 1888, moved into its new building in 1906, and merged into the American National Bank in 1930. During the 1900s, it was the largest financial institution in Terrell and was an influential element in the business community.

The quality of design and craftsmanship of the First National Bank goes beyond that commonly found in the typical Neo-Classical Revival buildings produced at this time in Texas. Moreover, Terrell is one of the few commercial structures possessing a recognizable architectural style and certainly demonstrates strong Ecole des Beaux-Arts influence. It is one of eight downtown buildings deemed to be most significant in an architectural resource inventory of Terrell conducted in 1981; one of the eight has since been demolished. The bank has been a local landmark since its construction, and it is hoped that the planned rehabilitation of the structure will act as a catalyst for other downtown buildings.

Organized in 1888, the Bank leased the first floor of a two-story brick building on the corner of Moore and Catherine, the site of the present building. A two-story building was built in 1886 and housed the Artesia Lodge (the local Masonic order) on the second
floor.

The original bank officers were Caro Russell, president; J. T. Conway, vice president; and M. W. Raley, cashier. In September of 1890, Matthew C. Cartwright purchased Russell's stock and became the bank's president. Raley was chosen vice-president and Bennett L. Gill, Sr., cashier. These three men played an influential role in the history of the bank and of the city.

Matthew Cartwright (1855-1925) came to Terrell in 1875. He developed an extensive farming and ranching business, served as mayor of Terrell, and was prominent in many aspects of local affairs. His home was listed on the National Register in 1979. M. W. Raley (1858-1920) came to Terrell in 1882, served the bank first as cashier in 1888, then as vice-president and later president, the position he held until his death. Bennett L. Gill has been credited with putting the bank on a sound financial basis. Recognizing his business ability, Governor Colquitt appointed him State Banking and Insurance Commissioner in 1911, but in 1913 Gill resigned to become vice-president of Seaboard National Bank in New York City. He returned to Terrell in 1923 where he served as chairman of the board for both the American National and First National banks.

In 1906 the First National Bank began to make plans for a new building. The architect for the new building was Charles Alexander Gill, father of Bennett Gill. C. A. Gill and his family moved to Dallas in 1879 from Alabama where he had owned a grist mill. In Dallas, he owned a planning mill and practiced architecture. He was responsible for many buildings in the Terrell area, including several buildings at the Terrell State Hospital, the F. M. Raike House, the M. C. Cartwright House, additions to the Matthew Cartwright House, the Guyton McKellar House in Forney, and the Wood Nash House in Kaufman.

Plans for the new building included "an immense skylight" according to the Terrell Daily Transcript. The construction contract was awarded to Walker and Wren of Forney, Texas. On May 8, 1906, demolition of the old bank building began. On November 5, 1906, the present building was opened for business.

The First National Bank continued to be a great asset to Terrell through the teens, but the twenties were difficult for the bank. This was largely because of the Depression of 1921 and the effect the collapse of farm prices had on the cotton economy of Terrell. After the stock market crashed in 1929, the future did not appear bright. On February 20, 1930, the First National merged with the American National Bank in Terrell, preventing losses by depositors and stockholders. Ownership of the bank building was transferred a few months later, on April 11, 1910. For a while, American National housed some of its banking operations in the First National building but later leased it out as office space.

In 1948 the American Bank sold the building to J. Chester Stallings, a local Terrell businessman and investor. During the next ten years the building housed a barber shop, the school district's tax offices, and insurance and real estate offices.

Robert K. Ramsey purchased the building on December 22, 1959, and moved his law office there. Ramsey has lived in Terrell since 1932 and is an attorney, investor, and rancher. He was a Special Agent in the F.B.I. in New York City before moving to Terrell and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the American National Bank and Terrell Federal Savings & Loan Association.

Ramsey remodeled the building in 1960. At this time the front steps were altered and a required exit was installed on the west facade. These exterior modifications do not substantially diminish the building's architectural integrity. An earlier remodeling, when air-conditioning was added, covered up a vaulted ceiling with plaster-ornamented ribs and stained-glass skylights. The large banking lobby has been subdivided into smaller offices. Ramsey and his daughter, attorney Mary Gayle Ramsey, are planning to renovate the building.