Security Trust Co. in Wheeling
Organized in 1902, The Daily Intelligencer reported on November 21, 1902, that "the new trust company will open business at temporary quarters, not as yet secured, although the general opinion prevails that it is only a matter of time until the [Security Trust Co.] will be housed in its own quarters and that an elaborate and costly structure will be erected, in keeping with the dignity and importance of this new financial enterprise." That "matter of time" took 15 years. The Security Trust Co. found temporary quarters in the former Grand Central Hotel, sometimes referred to as the "Potts Buiding," at 1145 Main St. It secured the rights to the first floor of the hotel in December of 1902 and remained there until it moved into its "new and handsome building at 1143 Market street, one door east of the old quarters... which it had occupied since the founding of the institution on February 27, 1903." The doors of the new institution opened Wednesday, November 28, 1917.
From the Wheeling Intelligencer, March 6, 1959 (See news below for link to complete article):
"The banking and real estate room proper, measuring 132x32, feet is finished in a dull white, Italian marble, extending many feet above the floor and encircling the entire room. The desks jnd furnishings are in mahogany. On the right as one passes through the handsome vestibule is found the banking department, containing more than a half dozen different departments, each surrounded by heavy French plate glass.
"On the left of the banking department is the real estate department, which is provided with handsome tables and chairs. In the rear are two huge vaults, constructed by the Herring-Hall-Marvin Safe company of Hamilton. O. The vaults are among the largest in the city. Each has an entrance that a man more than seven feet tall could enter without lowering his head. One of the vaults is for the company's currency and records, while the other is to be used as public safety deposit vault. Under either of the vaults are sub-vaults, in the basement, for records and a large vault for the foreign department. The entire lower floor is devoted to the foreign department in connection therewith are rest rooms for ladies and toilets as well as similar facilities for men.
"In the rear upstairs of the main room on the ground floor is the director's room, which is handsomely furnished in mahogany and comfortable upholstered chairs."
Security Trust Co. purchased a lot, formerly the site of the State Theatre, located diagonally across from its then 1143 Market Street, in 1959. The old theater, located at 1114-1116 Market Street, was razed in March of 1959 to make way for a new bank building designed by architect A. C. Lanander of Columbus, Ohio. Trenton Construction Company of Wheeling was awarded the general contract for both the demolition of theater and construction of the new bank. Also included in the construction was a drive-through banking facility located on Chapline Street with exits on 11th Street.
Security Trust Co. merged with the National Bank of West Virginia in 1962 to form the Security National Bank & Trust Co.
The former bank building at 1143 Market Street was purchased by L. S. Good in 1960 for an expansion project.
Locations
➤ 1143 Market Street (demolished in 1960 for expansion of L. S. Good)
Photographs
Newspaper Articles
➤ Security Trust Company Moves into its New Building, Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, November 28, 1917
➤ Security Trust to Build New Bank at State Theatre Site, Wheeling Intelligencer, Friday, March 6th, 1959, pg. 1 | continued on pg. 14
➤ Theatre to Bow to Progress, Wheeling Intelligencer, Friday, March 6th, 1959, pg. 20
➤ Security Trust Building to Change Hands, Wheeling Intelligencer, Thursday, January 14th, 1960
➤ New Security Trust Building Invites the Public to Display, Wheeling Intelligencer, Wednesday, July 13th, 1960
Additional Library Resources
Wheeling Room: non-circulating materials, ask for access at the reference desk.
➤ Vertical File: Wheeling Bank & Banking Historical
Archives & Special Collections: non-circulating materials, please make an appointment to view materials
➤ Security National Bank & Trust Company and National Bank of West Virginia collection, 1907-1990.
