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Overview

This first headquarters for the Bank of Napa functioned from 1872 until another was built to supercede it in 1888. The second headquarters was designed by the significant architect John Parkinson (1861-1935), who developed a wide reputation in both Seattle, WA, and Los Angeles, CA.

Building History

The Bank of Napa formed in 09/1871, with 17 trustees: J.F. Zollmer, W.C. Wallace, C. Hartson, E. Stanley, W.H. Nash, R.H. Sterling, E.L. Sullivan, A.B. Walker, W.W. Thompson, G.M. Fisher, R.B. Woodward, H.L. Davis, T.H. Thompson, I.N. Larimer, J. Hawley, D. McDonald, and D.L. Haas. C. Hartson served as the Bank of Napa's President between 1871 and 1879, with W.C. Watson acting as its Secretary and Cashier until 1881, and R.H. Stirlilng, W.W. Thompson, and T.H. Thompson, on its origial Finance Committee. Trustees pooled $250,000 to create capital stock; this included 2,500 shares priced at $100 apiece. According to the History of Napa "The elegant and substantial structure was erected 1872." (See History of Napa County, W.W. Wallace, ed., [Oakland, CA: Enquirer Print, 1901], pp. 187-188.)

Another history of early Napa said of this bank: "The Bank was first opened October 2d, 1871, in the building on Main street, occupied by Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express. Their elegant and substantial structure on the corner of Main and Second sts., was completed in the Spring of 1872." (See C.A. Menefee, Historical and Descriptive Sketch Book of Napa, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino Comprising Sketches of Their Topography, Productions, History, Scenery, and Peculiar Attractions, [Napa City: Reporter Publishing House, 1873], p. 106.)

Yet another history of Napa County updated the bank's early history: "The Bank of Napa was organized in 1871; C. Hartson president and W.C. Watson cashier. After the retirement of Hartson and Watson, Judge Lewis Lewton was elected president and Charles R. Gritman cashier. Upon the death of Lewton and Gritman, the bank passed into the hands of the present management, viz: S.M. Chapman president, and Henry Brown, cashier." (See Thomas Jefferson Gregory, History of Solano and Napa Counties, California, [Los Angeles: Historic Record Company, 1912], p. 139.)

PCAD id: 22183