CHICO Texas
The First Bank of Chico
$58.24 Nov 1, 1901
Drawn on The Farmers & Mechanics Nat'l Bank of
FORT WORTH Texas
~ 8 1/2 X 3 3/8 inches
At the turn of the 20th century, small North Texas towns like Chico depended on local banks to support agriculture, livestock, and everyday commerce. The First Bank of Chico served as a financial anchor for Wise County, facilitating payments through established urban institutions such as the Farmers & Mechanics National Bank of Fort Worth. Issued in 1901, this check reflects the growing integration of rural banks into statewide and national banking networks. The bold bull vignette underscores the region’s cattle‑driven economy, while printing by Dorsey Printing Company of Dallas highlights the rise of Texas‑based security printers. Documents like this capture the normalization of banking as frontier communities matured into stable market towns.