Ninety-three years ago, this past July the Bank of Everglades in Everglades City, Florida began serving the local community. It was in a building located on the north side of Broad Street on the Barron River. The bank was the only financial institution from 1923 at its inception until 1949.
Three years later, in 1926, the bank relocated to a new two-story building facing the river and only a block from the historic Rod & Gun Club visited by many celebrities and presidents over the years. The bank charter was sold in 1962 and renamed a couple of times until in 1965 when it was named Florida Community Bank. However, even though the bank charter was gone the two-story building remained in Everglades City.
The bank, which was never robbed, has been home to a variety of businesses including a boarding house, newspaper office and most recently a Bed and Breakfast. The B&B closed its doors in early 2016.
Unfortunately, the historic old building which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, is on the sales block looking for someone interested in extending the bank’s legacy. An alternative to its sale is to find a donor who may turn it over to the County in order to preserve it as a historic destination. It is one of the few remaining original buildings from the original town.
If you are into buildings and artifacts with historic significance and are longing to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, this may be the opportunity you want to consider. What could be better than saving a small piece of history?
Three years later, in 1926, the bank relocated to a new two-story building facing the river and only a block from the historic Rod & Gun Club visited by many celebrities and presidents over the years. The bank charter was sold in 1962 and renamed a couple of times until in 1965 when it was named Florida Community Bank. However, even though the bank charter was gone the two-story building remained in Everglades City.
The bank, which was never robbed, has been home to a variety of businesses including a boarding house, newspaper office and most recently a Bed and Breakfast. The B&B closed its doors in early 2016.
Unfortunately, the historic old building which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, is on the sales block looking for someone interested in extending the bank’s legacy. An alternative to its sale is to find a donor who may turn it over to the County in order to preserve it as a historic destination. It is one of the few remaining original buildings from the original town.
If you are into buildings and artifacts with historic significance and are longing to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, this may be the opportunity you want to consider. What could be better than saving a small piece of history?
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