Farmers and Merchants National Bank

Nocona's founding was a rancher's bargain. In the 1870s William Broaddus and D. C. Jordan brought 15,000 cattle to the area, and in 1887 Jordan persuaded surveyors for the Gainesville, Henrietta and Western to run the line across his land, pledging a townsite. The name Jordanville was rejected, and a Texas Ranger suggested Nocona, for the Comanche (Numunuu) leader Peta Nocona. Herman J. Justin moved his boot factory here in 1887 for the shipping. A newspaper followed in 1889 and the town's first bank in 1890, and residents voted to incorporate on July 30, 1891.

What the plaque says

The oldest financial institution in continuous operation in Nocona, the Farmers and Merchants National Bank was founded in 1905 with capital stock of $30,000. Seven directors were named at the bank's organizational meeting, and W.A. McCall (1845-1915) was named President. Upon his death, he was succeeded by his son, Cadmus McCall (1876-1953), who served for thirty-eight years. First housed in the J.A. Foshee Store at Oak and Clay Streets, the bank moved to this location in 1926. Throughout its history, the bank has been active in the civic life of Nocona. (1987)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Stonewall Saloon Museum — 13 mi
  Saint Jo's first permanent building, a stone saloon of 1873 with rooms upstairs for trail drovers, in a town named, the story goes, as a joke on a founder who did not drink.

More markers nearby

• First Baptist Church of Nocona — 0.2 mi
• Red River Station — 1.2 mi
• Red River Station — 7.4 mi
• Montague Cemetery — 8.3 mi