Talmage Museum History

The Citizens Bank was organized by Talmage businessmen and farmers on March 9, 1906.  The original officers of the bank were John W. Breidenthal, president; W.D. Fulton, vice-president; J. B  Higdon, cashier and secretary. 

Banking business was transacted in a building owned by W.D. Fulton, just north of the lumberyard until the bank entered into a contract with the Kansas Concrete Stone Co. of Enterprise in April of 1906, and they erected the present bank building. They moved into their new quarters on April 30, 1906.  Original stockholders were W.D. Fulton, John Reese, J. A. Engle, R. B. Briney, Maggie Whitney and John Garver.

The bank was chartered on March 24, 1933, after the national bank holiday, as The Talmage State Bank. J.E. Nickels was the first cashier and was assisted by his wife, Gertrude.

Later bankers were J. B. Higdon, C.S. Vickburg, R.R. Laird, Earl Herman, Charles Montgomery, Dee Dunlap and Joe Berkley, followed by a group of local citizens. 

On Thursday, September 18, 1987, the state banking commissioner declared the bank insolvent and closed it.  The next day, twelve banks or groups of investors were on hand at a bid meeting in Manhattan, Kansas, of which three bids for its assets were received.  Talmage State Bank reopened as a branch of the First National Bank of Abilene, which became Pinnacle Bank.

After Pinnacle Bank closed their Talmage branch in April 2010, they donated the building to the Talmage Historical Society for the purpose of establishing a Talmage Museum and Library. The bank wanted to provide a place the community could use to preserve their history and a place that would be an asset to the community.

Pinnacle Bank representatives, Gary Longenecker and Austin Britt presented the bank building deed to the Talmage Historical Society board members during a special meeting in July. Board members at that time were Verl and Kathy Coup, Pat Bowell, and Shawni Sheets.

Talmage Museum and Library                                                                        Verl Coup and Pat Bowell hanging the first signage                                  Display case for donated memorabilia