Our Story
Bank of Dawson is filled with stories of growth and expansion but its present home, which formally opened on October 18, 1967, stands as a monument to over a century of devoted service to this community and area.
On June 11, 1911, a group of community leaders representing wide and diverse interests but all intensely interested in agriculture, sat down at the conference table and decided an opportunity for service was open. On that premise they formed Bank of Dawson.The bank received its’ charter on June 29, 1911. The doors opened for business on July 5, 1911,in the old marble building at Main Street and 5th Avenue which previously had been occupied by First State Bank.
The bank did business at that location for almost a quarter of a century before acquiring and moving into its second home at Main and Lee Streets in the very heart of the city in 1935.
The building was originally built by the late A.J. Baldwin in 1890 and was the first large brick structure in the City of Dawson. It was ‘styled’ at that time as “twenty-five years ahead of times”.
32 years later, October 1967, the bank purchased the property on the corner of Main and 6th Avenue and built a new and modern building featuring the latest in banking amenities at that time.
In October of 1983, the stockholders of Bank of Dawson voted to form Dawson Bancshares, Inc, a one-bank holding company to enable the bank to diversify its business. The regulatory authorities approved the business of operations for the holding company in January of 1984.
In 1995, the bank completed a major renovation project, which encompassed expanding the main building and the addition of a new two-lane, stand alone, drive thru facility. A free-standing ATM machine was also added for customer ease and convenience.
In 2020, a pandemic hit our country (Covid). The bank closed its’ main lobby and operated with customers through the drive-thru. With the growing customer base, Bank of Dawson decided to relocate the drive-thru to better serve our customers’ needs.
On February 16, 2022, the construction of the new three lane drive-up banking facility opened for business. The bank’s ATM remains at the original location.
In the bank’s history, many men and women have played an important role, but to the loyalty of thousands of patrons, citizens and friends in Terrell and surrounding counties must be attributed the success story which has been that of the Bank of Dawson.
Bank of Dawson has had 7 Presidents thus far: C. Edwards, J. P. Perry, Dixon Oxford, Rogers Locke, Tom Stanbury, James G. Raines, Barry N. Lyle