By Texas Historical Commission

The Old First National Bank Building in Meridian is situated on the northwest corner of Main and Morgan
Streets. The two-story building with load-bearing walls of limestone and brick masonry construction was
erected in 1889. The lower level employs coursed quarry-faced ashlar limestone and is pierced by arched
openings on both the north (Morgan) and east (Main) elevations. Exhibiting Romanesque Revival influences,
this arcade is comprised of a series of round arches resting upon limestone piers which extend to the building's
foundation. The first floor openings are recessed and display square fixed single-light windows with smooth
stone sills and round arch transoms of small rectangular lights. The two-bay front facade is highlighted with an
attached pink granite column with a carved stone Corinthian capital. The date "1889" has been carved onto a
stone and placed just below a stone string course which divides the first and second levels. The top floor's red
brick construction contrasts with the limestone walls but exhibits fenestration complementing that of the
ground level. Displaying round arch windows, the east facade's second floor is highlighted with three carved
stone faces. Delicately cut stone frames the arched openings and contrasts to the massive round arches of the
first floor. The north facade features rectangular openings with a continuous stone lintel and smooth stone sill.
The original windows have been replaced with fixed aluminum sash tinted windows, installed during one of
the remodeling phases which have taken place since 1969. All of the original furnishings and fixtures have
been removed by the county to rehabilitate the structure for use as office space.

The Old First National Bank Building in Meridian remains as one of the oldest commercial buildings in the
city and represents an outstanding example of late 19th century commercial architecture in Meridian. The
bank building stands as one of the few extant 19th century structures in the city. Situated on the site of the
original county courthouse, the two-story masonry structure was erected in 1889 and housed the county's
first bank which was founded by J.W. Rudasill. The structure continued to be used as a bank until 1969 when
the bank constructed a new building.

J.W. Rudasill along with two other individuals established the Bosque County Bank in 1884. The bank's early
success was demonstrated five years later by the construction of the present building at the northwest corner
of Main and Morgan on the courthouse square. Rudasill's affiliation with the bank included serving as cashier,
president and chairman of the Board of Directors. One of the city's earliest and most dynamic leaders,
Rudasill served as mayor from 1891 to 1910 and was active in many social activities in Meridian. He died in
1928.

Forty-three years after the bank's founding, the institution merged with another local bank, the Farmer's State
Bank and adopted that name although all transactions occurred in the First National Bank Building. The new
bank continued to prosper through the years and in 1969 constructed a new structure a few blocks south. The
county then purchased the building and now maintains offices within the structure.

BIBLIOGRAPHY ON FILE IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER