2013-2 Remembrances Special Edition1
City of Schertz
Remembrances Special Edition Article 2013-2
Presented by: Schertz Historical Preservation Committee
100th Anniversary For Schertz Bank & Trust
First Building Still Standing and Business Still Growing
The City of Schertz’ first commercial bank was established by Charter on June 17, 1913 and
became known as Schertz State Bank. The thirty charter members and stockholders were mostly
local farmers and merchants from the Schertz and Cibolo areas who realized the need for having
a financial institution within their community. Each of those original thirty stockholders agreed
to initiate their bank membership by purchasing bank shares at the agreed upon cost of $100.00
per share. Initially 118 shares where purchased by the 30 shareholders. The bank has remained in
the ownership of local Schertz and Cibolo stockholders and/or a Schertz private citizen (Dr. Roy
Richard) for all but a few years (1970-1971).
The site chosen for construction of the first bank building was at what today is identified by
postal address as 513 Main Street. The exact date of the building’s construction is unknown but
is thought to have been sometime soon after the chartering date. The original banks building was
a single unattached structure separated by a gravel road from the two adjacent buildings that
formed the Schertz Mercantile Store. At an unknown date the bank building was expanded and
made to join walls with the mercantile buildings.
Sketch of Original Schertz State Bank (circa 1913) Photo of City On A Hill Church with New Building
Facade That Covers the Original Bank Building Façade
As the Schertz community grew so did the need for more space at the bank to accommodate
customers in a convenient and efficient manner. The original building had been expanded and
remodeled several times to better service bank customers. By the early 1970s it became obvious
that the old bank building was not adequate to served the customer base and that a larger
building was needed. On May 18, 1972, a new bank building was dedicated at 519 Main Street.
The new bank building featured many new conveniences for customers such as two drive-in
windows, a walk-up window, additional teller windows inside and much more lobby, office
customer parking space. The old bank building was not abandoned but rather sold and put to
other uses. Today, the original bank structure has a different frontage design as shown in the
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above photo and is used for a much different purpose. Behind the new frontage the old red brick
architecture still remains although the interior design has gone through some revisions.
There have been nearly a dozen different bank presidents since the original charter was
established. Most of Schertz’ senior citizens remember the Presidency of Mr. Herbert P.
Thulemeyer who held that post for many years and whose wife succeeded him. Dr. Roy Richard
and his wife purchased the bank in 1972 and hired Melvin F. Golla to serve as President. Mr.
Golla served until this past year when, upon Golla’s retirement, Mr. Mark Sunderman
was hired as Bank President.
The Schertz State Bank is today known as the Schertz Bank and Trust and has expanded into
other communities but remains a Schertz-based institution. The old bank building remains
standing, although with a facelift, after 100 years of service to the Schertz community. It sits
amidst other buildings (507 & 509 Main Street) with similar historic credentials (circa 1906 and
prior). The community’s early survival was, in part, assured by the functions these three
buildings served at the turn of the 20th century and after. The significance of the bank’s opening
in 1913 was well stated in the December issue of Schertz Magazine:
“That (banks opening) gave the people of this community an opportunity to start local
Businesses; buy land, equipment, and feed; and for personal loans helping to make
Schertz become what it is today.”
We know that the old bank building represents a key component of the Schertz community’s
historic past and as such deserves priority consideration for preservation efforts. Hopefully, the
current building owner, city administration, today’s bank management and our committee will
work together in 2013 to assure steps are taken to preserve the facility.
The Historical Preservation Committee wishes the folks at Schertz Bank and Trust a very happy
anniversary.