Early Grove City Banks

An old document uncovered in the files of the Southwest Franklin County Historical Society states before the first banks opened in Grove City in 1903, residents either traveled to Columbus or borrowed money from private individuals at exorbitant interest rates.

Eugene C. Wagner, Adam G. Grant and Emil Kiesewetter realized an opportunity and organized the Grove City Savings Bank on April 21, 1903 with a capital of $25,000. Local business owners and area farmers were quick to purchase stock in the new bank located in a small building on the west side of Broadway near Grove City Road. As the bank prospered, more space was needed and in 1905, it relocated to new office space in the Elias A. White building, at the southeast corner of Broadway and Park Street until 1923 when a new bank building was constructed across the street. Grove City Savings was later purchased by Tiney M. McComb changing the name to the Franklin Bank. Kiesewetter, one of the founders of Grove City Savings Bank also organized the Ohio Savings Bank that eventually became Ohio National Bank.

Grove City’s second bank, The Farmers and Merchants Bank, opened in Grove City in the spring of 1903 but it wasn’t capitalized with $25,000 until June 11. At that time, the bank’s name was changed to The First National Bank. The men who established the bank included Joseph M. Briggs and Daniel Weygandt. That bank was located at the southeast corner of Broadway and Columbus Street eventually becoming part of Huntington Bank. For many years, the Ohio Bell Telephone Company operated its office and exchange on the second floor.