2026-04-17T05:55:40-04:00 Zend_Feed_Writer http://shenandoahstories.org/ Shenandoah Stories http://shenandoahstories.org 2016-06-07T14:27:39-04:00 2018-10-19T11:46:21-04:00 http://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/102 Shenandoah County Library In 1884 Dr. J.I. Triplett opened the Mt. Jackson National Bank in this building. It was the first national bank in Shenandoah County and the only one for over a decade. From 1863 until 1935 the Treasury Department allowed certain banks to be chartered through the United States government. They were required to maintain a minimum balance and submit their records to Federal oversight. In a time when there were no bank regulations and failures were common, financial institutions strove to receive this designation to prove they were a reliable place to individuals to deposit their savings. Triplett’s ability to establish the Mt. Jackson National Bank stemmed from his business success. He operated several stores, hotels, mills, and other commercial establishments in Shenandoah County. The $50,000 in collateral the bank had to possess to open was from his personal accounts. This house, constructed in the 1830s, served as the bank until 1904 when a new building opened a few blocks to the north. After which the building once again became a private residence which it is today. Mt. Jackson National Bank operated until 1933 when it was acquired by its rival, People’s Bank, after the death of Dr. Triplett. For more (including 2 images), view the original article. 2016-05-05T12:46:50-04:00 2018-10-19T11:46:20-04:00 http://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/23 Shenandoah County Library In 1920 Toms Brook residents gathered together to form the Bank of Toms Brook. Initially the institution had over $165,000 worth of loans, deposits, and securities. The state of Virginia notes that in 1922, S.B. Miley was the President and J.L. Feller were the cashiers. These two families are prominent members of the local community and certainly increased their prestige by working at the bank. Most of their customers were certainly associated with the nearby Rockdale Lime Quarry or with commercial establishments that served the needs of their workers. On April 9 1931, the Massanutten National Bank in Strasburg announced it was merging with the Bank of Toms Brook. Having been negatively affected by the Great Depression, Toms Brook’s financial institution was no longer able to operate on its own. The merger meant Massanutten acquired all of the Bank of Toms Brook’s assets, debts, buildings, and records which were moved to Strasburg. The bank building in Toms Brook was closed. Not long after this the United States government acquired the building and moved the Toms Brook Post Office to the site. For more (including 2 images), view the original article. 2016-05-03T15:08:13-04:00 2018-10-19T11:46:20-04:00 http://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/11 Shenandoah County Library In 1884 local businessman J.I. Triplett founded the Mt. National Bank with $50,000 of capital. Triplett was a well-established commercial leader who was responsible for operating several mills, electric power plants, banks and stores in Shenandoah County. This bank was first located at 6013 Main Street and for a time was the only National Bank in Shenandoah County. However by the turn of the century it had outgrown its modest location. In 1904 Triplett built a new three story structure, known as the “Brick Building.” The new site was at an ideal location. It was near the Post Office and along the only walkway to the depot. The Bank, a drug store, general merchandise business, law offices, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and several apartments occupied the building. In 1933 J.I. Triplett died and the Mt. Jackson National Bank was acquired and closed by its competitor the People’s Bank which occupied the Triplett building. It operated until 1969 when it was acquired by the First Virginia Bank. This organization built a new structure in 1974 and razed the building for parking. For more, view the original article.