Admin Building (F & M Bank) Face Lift Project

The NISD Administrative Offices are located in the castle-like structure that once was the center of commerce in Northern Montague County, the F & M Bank.  In fact the old building is a historical landmark as identified by the marker on the front of the building.  The old building has always been a hub for community events, while its fancy facade has given Clay Street a distinctive flair. However, the outer wall's internal structure and strength has been brought into question recently.  District repairmen report that the wall may be leaking, thus causing the whole structure to sag.   Workmen are removing the polished stone slabs to search for any problems, while insuring that the beautiful sheets are protected until they can be used again.

More Bank Info

F &M: Residents Recommend Rehab (Article)

The Texas Historical Foundation

1926 Bank Photo

Architectural Plan (Drawing)

Advisory Committee

Texas Historical Commission

Slide Show: March '06 Work

Nocona 2020: A Look Into the Future for Downtown Nocona (Article)

August 06 Update

September 06 Update

October 06 Update

Late October 06 Update

November 06 Update

Thanksgiving Update 06

December 7, 2006 Update

Snaps: 01/04/2007

Sentimental Lady

Lost Window to the Past

The historical marker reads:

THE OLDEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTION IN CONTINUOUS OPERATION IN NOCONA, THE FARMERS AND MERCHANTS NATIONAL BANK WAS FOUNDED IN 1905 WITH CAPITAL STOCK OF $30,000.  SEVEN DIRECTORS WERE NAMED IN THE BANK'S ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING AND W.A. McCALL (1845-1915) WAS NAMED PRESIDENT.  UPON HIS DEATH , HE WAS SUCCEEDED BY HIS SON, CADMUS McCALL (1876-1953), WHO SERVED FOR THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS.  FIRST HOUSED IN THE J.A. FOSHEE STORE AT OAK AND CLAY STREETS, THE BANK MOVED TO THIS LOCATION IN 1926.  THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY, THE BANK HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN THE CIVIC LIFE OF NOCONA.

F & M Serves Community With Dignity

The old bank became headquarters for NISD administrative offices when the building was donated to the school district in the mid nineties.  The building has continued to be a distinctive, attractive and busy piece of architecture for over 80 years. 

The old bank still leads a useful life as a center for commerce, education, and other community activities.  Besides housing offices for the District, Montague Special Classes, and Tax Office, the old structure provides a public meeting room.

Many locals have a nostalgic soft spot in their hearts for the polished-granite covered structure.  The NISD Board wants to fix the building, but in doing so, they also want to preserve the building as a historic icon.

First Look Underneath

Thumbnails at right show the initial work that was done to examine the structures foundation.  The polished slabs were removed that covered the front.  The heavy slabs were pried from the front and wrestled on to a fork lift.  This part of the disassembly took over a week.

Time Capsule

Note the Fort Worth Star Telegram newspaper that was stuffed in various holes in the underlying structure.  This news print dates back to February 23, 1959.  Articles included one about Lee Petty winning the first Daytona 500.