National Register Listing

First National Bank Building

a.k.a. Old Bank Building

Main and Morgan Sts., Meridian, TX

The Old First National Bank Building in Meridian remains one of the oldest commercial buildings in the city and represents an outstanding example of late 19th-century commercial architecture in Meridian. The bank building stands as one of the few extant 19th-century structures in the city. Situated on the site of the original county courthouse, the two-story masonry structure was erected in 1889 and housed the county's first bank which was founded by J.W. Rudasill. The structure continued to be used as a bank until 1969 when the bank constructed a new building.

J.W. Rudasill along with two other individuals established the Bosque County Bank in 1884. The bank's early success was demonstrated five years later by the construction of the present building at the northwest corner of Main and Morgan on the courthouse square. Rudasill's affiliation with the bank included serving as cashier, president, and chairman of the Board of Directors. One of the city's earliest and most dynamic leaders, Rudasill served as mayor from 1891 to 1910 and was active in many social activities in Meridian. He died in 1928.

Forty-three years after the bank's founding, the institution merged with another local bank, the Farmer's State Bank, and adopted that name although all transactions occurred in the First National Bank Building. The new bank continued to prosper through the years and in 1969 constructed a new structure a few blocks south. The county then purchased the building and now maintains offices within the structure.

Local significance of the building:
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.