First National Bank of Huntsville
The First National Bank of Huntsville is a small historic structure located on the courthouse square in Huntsville. It was built in 1906, constructed of native sandstone that was quarried nearby. It is similar in that regard to the Scott County Jail and the Scott County Courthouse, which were also built of sandstone between 1904 and 1906.
The bank is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
See Also: Scott County’s Historic Places
Huntsville Banking Company
The Huntsville Banking Company was chartered in 1909 with capital stock of $10,000. The bank moved into the bank building that same year. Rufus M. Holmes, of Gwinnett County, Ga., was contracted to build the bank.
The Huntsville Bank’s original officers included James Foster, L. Jeffers, John Hatfield, Phillip Low, L.F. Boshears, T.G. Sexton, A.H. Doisey, W.H. Potter and R.C. Jones.
Similar to the nearby jail and courthouse, the bank was built of sandstone quarried nearby and hauled to the site with mules.
The interior of the building includes two teller cages with 18 inch by 36 inch marble slab counters.
The Scott County Jail remains in place today. Although it hasn’t been used as a jail since 2008, it is privately operated as a tourist attraction by History, Highways & Haunts LLC. The courthouse has not been used for court since 2008 but continues to house some of the offices of Scott County Government, as well as the Scott County Historical Society. Following a fire that gutted the courthouse in 1946, a brick facade was built around the original sandstone.
First National Bank of Huntsville
In 1917, the Huntsville Bank was purchased by First National Bank of Huntsville. It continued to operate until 1932, when it fell victim to the Great Depression.
In 1985, the bank building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Latter Years
In 1932, the same year First National Bank of Huntsville failed, Artie Chambers purchased the bank building and used it as a rental property. From 1933 to 1950, the Tennessee Welfare Department had officers in the building. From 1951 to 1970, it housed the Public Health Department.
In 1973, First National Bank of Oneida purchased the building and opened a branch office in Huntsville. The following year, FNB built a drive-through on the west side of the bank.
Founded in 1906, First National Bank of Oneida is Scott County’s oldest bank. The old Huntsville Bank is Scott County’s oldest bank building.
The bank continued to be used by First National Bank until its Huntsville branch office closed in 2020. With the closing of First National Bank’s Huntsville branch office, the Huntsville Bank building is vacant once more.