The Washington times., 1925-02-16
D. c. BANK OVER
100 YEARS
OLD
Farmers and Mechanics Ma
tionaI Bank Of Georgetown
Established IN 1914
By RICHARD HATTON

One of the most interesting bank
ing institutions in the District Of
Columbia from an historical View
point is the Farmers ana Me.
chanics National Bank, located in
Georgetown. While this progress;
sive institution today reflects the
general spirit Of modern expansion
so evident in the Capital and its
environments, It has, also, about It
traditions and memories Of dim
past replete with historical interest
which hallow its name as a dis
tinct link between today and yes-
terday in the nations life.
The Farmers and Mechanics Ma.
tional Bank was established in
1914. Its first location was near
the famous old structure known as.
Suffers. Hotel. in Georgetown. 1t
was In front Of this ancient hos
telry, according to historical record,
that George Washington daily
mounted his horse to ride over the
muddy roads OF the time into the
Capital City Of the then new nation.
The bank has in its vaults today
the tool used by the first President
in laying the cornerstone of the
REGEl C1plIOA Ou4404MS W1AAlA1 - INV
the center OF the coHntryss legisla-a
tive activities. This valuable relic
is the property OF the Potomac
Lodge of Masons. The first pTest-
dent Of the bank was William Mar
burg, and descendants Of the family
still live in Georgetown.
Rapid Growth.
An evidence Of the rapid growth
OF this financial Institution under
its present management - seen In
the fact that six years ago its
deposits amounted to about $1,4OO,-
10000, while at the close Of the
year 1924 they were 50 400, 10000.
This comparison is. also. Indicative
OF the growth OF the territory in
the section which the bank serves.
Georgetown and the nearby sections
OF Maryland and Virginia.
Georgetown md the surround
ing territory are growing rapidly,
said President Harry v. Haynes,
today. The future Of this section
of the District OF Columbia and the
nearby counties Of Maryland ana
Virginia must be one OF consistent
development and conservative in
vestment. There has been q won
derful growth here during recent
years which is reflected in the bust
ness life Of the district. "
One especial feature Of the mod
ern bank building now occupied by
the Farmers, and Mechanics' Ma
ti0nal Bank at the corner Of Wis
cOnsin avenue and II streets IL the
safe deposit department In the
construction OF this portion Of the
new building every effort was made
70 rvfr he rSf - ~ k1ala
most modern safe deposit facilities
available. A thorough survey of
the most approved safety devices
and appliances known to modern
science was made by the bank Of
ficials before the plans for the
vaults were drawn and approved
and no expense was spared in con-
strncting this important section OF
the new structure. The result -
q safe deposit department IN which
the officials and directors of the
bank take exceptional pride and In
which the patrons of the bank find
the most complete security. This
section OF the bank Is q model and
Outstanding example Of modern
safety vault construction.
The list OF directors Of this insti-
tuition includes the names Of many
QEOAtlAASAl AASEGAAetHLS anu DuS1HSSS
men and its activities cover por-
tions OF two States besides the Dis
trict Of Columbia
Helps Government.
During its long and honorable
existence as financial institution
the Farmers and Mechanics Ma
tional Bank has, or several occa-
sions, rendered exceptional service
to the United States Government
and the records in which this