75 Years

Bank of Granite Celebrates 75th Anniversary, 1906-1981

When Bank of Granite was organized in October of 1906, Granite Falls itself was a "very few horses" town. The horseless carriage was still to come.

This could well have been one of the big reasons for the bank's organization. Local citizens grew tired of having to ride out of town for their banking needs.

The idea was to have a hometown bank which could provide immediate service to local businesses and individuals.

The first day's deposits amounted to $901.68, a most encouraging start. And the bank, as a truly local institution, continued to show a modest growth. Many years later a new and larger building with upstairs offices was constructed on the same property immediately in front of the first building shown here. This would serve as the bank's home office until 1969.

But it was back in 1954 that the bank, with $1.2 million in resources, was purchased by a group of Caldwell County citizens who wanted to broaden the institution's opportunities for service.

During the ensuing years the bank's image changed considerably.

 

Lenoir Office Bank of Granite's first expansion move outside Granite Falls came in 1960 when it opened a new office in Lenoir.

Hudson Office The success of the Lenoir office encouraged the bank to follow with offices in Hudson and Whitnel. Whitnel Office

Granite Falls Office This was followed in 1969 by a new home office in Granite Falls located two blocks northwest of the original location.

Hickory Office