526 N. Main

Founded by Jarius Edward Neal in June 1873, the Harvey County Savings bank opened their doors at 604 N. Main. They were the first bank in Harvey County. In 1879, a group of Newtonians purchased majority stock and it was renamed Newton City Bank. They received their federal charter in August 1882 as the First National Bank of Newton and relocated to 526 N. Main.

First National Bank was only one of seven that survived the financial panic of 1890. The bought out the First State Bank of Newton in 1889 and the Home State Bank in 1914. The building was demolished in the 1914 fire. A year later, the First National Bank reopened in their new building.

Today, First National Bank of Newton carries on its legacy as the oldest bank in Newton and Harvey County at the corner of Broadway and Oak.

(Billie Wilson)