By the turn of the century, Bell Buckle’s population was up to around 665. Its location on the Nashville Chattanooga Railroad positioned it to be one of the largest shipping locations for livestock in the area.
With the Bank of Bell Buckle having been successful for 22 years, it was decided that a second bank was needed. In October of 1909, a charter was filed. It was named the People’s Bank & Trust Co. of Bell Buckle. They secured space on a corner lot that was previously a drug store near the public square and in the shadow of a large place known as The Winnett Hotel. It was located on what was then Main Street and Railroad Square.
By 1924, the bank’s captial had decreased by $15,000. In 1925, the banks in Bell Buckle held their annual meetings and it was determined that the People’s Bank was still in decent shape. However, in 1926 the bank was closed and liquidated all assets, paying depositors 30% of their claims. It seems that it was quite the stressor on the folks in the community when it closed its doors.
Proving not quite as successful as the Bank of Bell Buckle, it managed to hold on for close to 17 years. It certainly made its mark on Bell Buckle history! While the bank didn’t last, its building didn’t either. But what happened to it? It’s no longer a part of the “Railroad Square” and I’ll dig into why next!
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