First National Bank Building
Also known as: Old Bank Building
Why it's listed
Built in 1889 at the northwest corner of Main and Morgan Streets on the courthouse square in Meridian, this two-story bank building combines a coursed, quarry-faced limestone ground floor with a red brick upper level. Round arches resting on limestone piers, a pink granite column with a carved Corinthian capital, and three carved stone faces on the east facade reflect Romanesque Revival influences. The site was once occupied by the original county courthouse. The building housed the county's first bank, founded as the Bosque County Bank in 1884 by J.W. Rudasill and two others. Rudasill served as cashier, president and board chairman, and was mayor of Meridian from 1891 to 1910. The bank later merged with the Farmer's State Bank, yet continued operating here until 1969, when it moved to a new building. The county then bought the structure and uses it for offices. It is among the few remaining 19th century buildings in the city.
Significance in brief: It is one of the oldest commercial buildings and one of the few surviving 19th century structures in Meridian, and an outstanding example of late 19th century commercial architecture there. It housed the county's first bank, founded by J.W. Rudasill, a long-serving mayor. The building stands on the site of the original county courthouse.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79002919, listed November 7, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Main and Morgan Sts., Meridian |
|---|---|
| County | Bosque County |
| Listed | November 7, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002919 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1889 |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival influences |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by Bosque County, which purchased it after the bank moved in 1969 and now maintains offices there; original windows replaced and furnishings removed during remodeling. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 31.92327, -97.65739 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79002919.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110001691
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.