Harrison Magazine Spring 2023

BACKYARD SURPRISES:

PLAY BALL!

Airport Park serves as hub for baseball, softball fun for several decades

Harrison Champion:

LET THERE BE ART!

Marshall Regional Arts Council looks to bring arts, education to the whole community

SPRING 2023 ISSUE

Wiley College celebrates 150th anniversary, looks to future growth

FEATURE:

Left to right - Johnesha Jackson, LVN, Kay Howard, LVN, Vicki Ott, Administrator, Robin Sharp, RN, DON and Priscilla Williams, LVN

LETTER

Often, we put limitations on ourselves that are unwarranted. We trap our possibilities with our mind, or the influences of other’s opinions. What if we leaned into the question of what are our possibilities, and what can I do to achieve them?

Recently I attended a Rotary meeting and heard four high school students give presentations on what the four-way test meant to them. For those not familiar with the four-way test, it is simply four questions.

1. Is it the tr uth?

2. Is it fair to all concer ned?

3. W ill it build goodwill and better friendships?

4. W ill it be beneficial for all concerned?

All four students should be commended for their presentations, as all of them kept their audience engaged and thought provoked. I am sure each had a bit of nerves before approaching the podium, but when it was their turn to speak they delivered. These young men and women did not limit themselves by shying away from the work it took to write and present a speech, they saw it as an opportunity to grow. I commend them all for putting themselves out there to be judged. If their minds were trying to limit their possibilities, they successfully broke through the barrier.

What if we all approached our day the same way these teenagers approached this task? Open to allow ourselves to be judged and open to new opportunities, despite our mind telling us we should be fearful?

One hundred fifty years ago, I have to imagine the founders of Wiley College had the spirit of exploring great possibilities and creating opportunity for students. Inside this issue we take an extended look at the 150 year history of Wiley College, and its important role in Marshall’s history.

As a county we are blessed to have young people who are smart, engaging and full of spirit to add to the fabric of our community. The four Marshall ISD students I mentioned above are just one example of leadership qualities being shown from area youth. Perhaps one of them will be a student walking the campus of Wiley in the coming years, and can go on to become an integral part of our Harrison County community for generations to come.

To borrow Wiley College’s slogan, ‘Go fourth inspired,’ and do not let unwarranted limitations kill your possibilities.

Alexander Gould agould@mrobertsmedia.com

Publisher

Alexander Gould

agould@mrobertsmedia.com

Editor

Meredith Shamburger mshamburger@marshallnewsmessenger.com

Advertising Sales

Johnnie Fancher jfancher@marshallnewsmessenger.com

Omar Aguirre oaguirre@marshallnewsmessenger.com

Marquisia Wright mwright@marshallnewsmessenger.com

contributing Writers

Jessica Harker

Sadiq King

Robin Y. Richardson

contributing Photographers

Jessica Harker

Les Hassell

Sadiq King

Graphic Designer

Katie Case

Max Goswick with the Elysian Fields Jackets delivers a pitch during a game against the Marshall Marlins at Airport Park.

Photo by Les Hassell

Play Ball!

Airport Park serves as hub for baseball, softball fun for several decades

story by Robin Y. Richardson | photos by Les Hassell

It’s ball season at Airport Park as the Marshall Youth Baseball and Softball Associations recently kicked off their spring ball season, for ages 5 to 15.

Airport Park, located at 1110 Warren Drive, has been the regional hub for baseball and softball activities in East Texas for decades. According to city officials, the facility boasts 11 ball fields, two bathroom/concession stand complexes, two

batting cages and encompasses 47 acres. The grounds also have a playground for children’s enjoyment.

As the spring season commenced on March 27, officials prepared the fields, getting them chalked and ready for the highly anticipated ball games.

“It’s springtime. They’re starting up right now and then sometimes they have some fall ball,” said Randy Pritchard,

Max Goswick with the Elysian Fields Jackets delivers a pitch during a game against the Marshall Marlins at Airport Park.

support services director and the parks director for the City of Marshall.

“We’re really started getting rolling again since COVID,” he said.

“The city parks depar tment, we prep all the fields for the games,” shared Pritchard. “We got a new dugout put out there this [April] just in time for them to play ball.”

For softball, teams this spring include the following team age groups:

• 6u: Dir t Divas, Bats and Bows; Bom Squad, Bat Attitudes

• 8-8u: SWAT, Pink Sox, Waskom 8u, Texas Thunder, Diamond Girls, SWAT

• 10u: Pitch Per fect, Extreme Heat, Waskom 10u, Lu-

nachicks, Hurricanes,

• 12u: Bombers, Savages, Waskom 12u, Lady Dragons, Hallsville Divas, Hallsville Slay, Hallsville Buzz

• 14u: Hit Squad, Bandidas, Waskom 14u, Patriots, Hallsville Strikers, Hallsville Rip Tide, Hallsville Strikers

For baseball, teams this spring include the following team age groups:

• 4u-Wee-Ball: Astros, Braves, Free Agent, Rangers, Red Sox, White Sox, Yankees

• 6u-T-Ball: Blue Jays, Braves, Free Agent, Giants, Rangers, Red Sox, Yankees

• 8u-AA: Astros, Cardinals, EF Black, EF Orange, Free Agent, Rangers, Red

Sox, Waskom, White Sox, Yankees

TOP ROW: Ariel photos of Airport Park (Left: 1981, Right: 2023). MIDDLE ROW, From left: Isaac Baldwin, 11, plays with his yo-yo while sitting on a swing at Airport Park. Dedicated sign on wall of the concession stand at Airport Park. Antonie Snowden, 8, with the Pink Sox practices her batting skills with Coach Casey Barton. Lorenzo Jaimes, 3, climbs on his father Ernesto’s shoulders. Children play on the playground. A player chases a ground ball. BOTTOM ROW: Players on a field at Airport Park.

• 10u-AAA: Astros, Dodges, EF, Free Agent, Mets, Rangers, Waskom Grey, Waskom Maroon

• 12u O’Zone: Braves, Free Agent, Rangers, Waskom 12u

• 14uDBB: Braves, Elysian Fields 14u, Free Agent, Marlins, Waskom

Airport Park has been a mainstay in the City of Marshall since as early as 1980. In January 1980, the Marshall Parks and Recreation Department announced the addition of the then new baseball complex to add to local recreation areas. The complex, located near Harrison County Airport, offered only four fields at the time, according to a Jan. 31, 1980 edition of the News Messenger.

Throughout the years, the park has evolved to be bigger and better. Currently, plans are underway to make Airport Park even more inviting and accommodating to not only host local teams, but also tournaments in the future.

“The city has some plans to make some changes out there. It’s part of the capital improvement plan to make our park more inviting for people that want to have tournaments out here,” said Pritchard. “The park works great for us locally here, but in order for the city to be able to improve on the parks we want to be able to show that they can produce.”

He said being able to be the host site of a tournament is not only good for the park, but the city, as a whole.

“When people come to a three-day tournament and they come and eat dinner and come and stay in hotels and buy gas, that’s how our city prospers,” said Pritchard. “It’s a win-win for everybody when we have good facility that people want to use. That’s our goal. The parks advisory board is working with the city on how we want to provide this.”

The city has already completed some renovations to the park, most recently updating two of the 11 ballfields this past fall.

City Manager Terrell Smith noted before that more plans included upgrading fencing for fields three and four, as well as improving the outfield grass for both fields.

“These fields were chosen because they give us the most play options for different age groups and typically get the most usage,” Smith said recently.

Schedules for the Marshall Youth Baseball and Softball Associations leagues can be found at: www.marshallbaseball.org and marshallsoftball.org.

So, if you want to enjoy a fun time, come on out to Airport Park and support the young athletes.

And as the saying goes: “Let’s play ball!”

Historic Milestone

Wiley College celebrates 150th anniversary, looks to future growth

story by Sadiq King

With perseverance, prestige and purpose, Wiley College has reached 150 years of academic excellence by allowing Black and underprivileged youth to pursue higher learning in Marshall. The milestone was commemorated with celebrations and awards from Jan. 31 to March 18. Wiley recognized alumni and supporters of the institution throughout the event.

“When we were putting it together, we really wanted to capture the historical significance of the institution, said Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Administra-

tion Tashia L. Bradley.

“When I think about the event, really it was just an opportunity to celebrate the institution and to remind folks of why Wiley is so dear.”

Tensions from the Civil War faded long ago when Wiley College initially opened. Wiley University, as the institution was once known, is named in honor of Methodist Church bishop, educator and medical missionary Isaac William Wiley, who died in 1884. The institution sought greater wealth even when there were Jim Crow laws and discrimination. Be-

cause of this, they decided to move in 1880, and the college is currently situated in Marshall on 55 acres of forestland. The institution received accreditation from the Freedman’s Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1882.

Wiley College strives to provide a liberal arts education with a worldwide perspective and is dedicated to fostering communication, critical thinking and analytical thinking abilities.

Notable Wiley Moments

The President’s House was constructed in 1902, one of the first significant events after the institution’s founding in 1873. It is still standing today. Five structures, including the central building, were destroyed by fire in 1906. The buildings’ foundations, nevertheless, held firm, and the next year even larger structures were built. When Thirkield Hall was constructed in 1919, the college acquired an appearance appropriate for a place of higher education. Wiley wouldn’t be classified as an “A” class institution by the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools of the Southern States until 1933. This was the first time a Black university had ever received the same rating and evaluation criteria as other colleges. The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), still in existence today, was founded in 1936, with Wiley College serving as a pioneer in the introduction of football to Black institutions. In football and basketball, Wiley won several national titles, and at one point, its championship athletic teams outnumbered all of its SWAC rivals combined.

Wiley became a founding member of the United Negro College Fund in 1944, under the presidency of the college’s eighth president, E.C. McLeod. The institution now has additional resources for tasks like developing new programs and facilities. The only college of this era to obtain this prestigious national accolade is Wiley College, which has the

distinction of winning “Miss UNCF” for the 10th year in a row. The Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools granted Wiley College full membership in SACS in 1960.

The $2.4 million Julius S. Scott Sr. Chapel was under construction on September 11, 2001, a day that would live in indelible memory for all Americans, when Haywood L. Strickland, the 16th president, took office. The Julius S. Scott Sr. Chapel began building while the New York “twin towers” were collapsing. For the Wiley College community, this building serves as a place of worship as well as a meeting space for those seeking spiritual and academic enlightenment.

Denzel Washington’s “The Great Debators” film, produced by HARPO Productions and the Weinstein Company, was released in 2007, giving the Institution a unique opportunity for global exposure. James Farmer Jr., Henry Heights, Hobart Jarrett and Henrietta Bell (Wells) were four of Professor Melvin B. Tolson’s former students whose intellectual legacies were documented in this significant motion picture. The topic of the well-received film The Great Debaters was their 1935 win over the National Champions of that year. The college, under the direction of President Strickland, received a $1 million donation from Washington to resurrect the school’s debate team, which was later named in honor of both Professor Tolson and Washington.

Herman J. Felton Jr., the current president of Wiley, assumed his position in 2018. The world was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and Wiley’s physical campus was closed. Felton oversaw every building’s rehabilitation or

Actor Denzel Washington’s family foundation recently paid a $100,000 installment to the Wiley College debate team as part of its fourth of 10 installments in a $1 million, 10-year pledge to the team.

A groundbreaking for the new men’s dorm at Wiley College was hosted in October 1972.

upgrade during that time, even constructing a brand-new structure, the Kenneth Ponder Welcome Center. The president would then create his bold and audacious vision, which would serve as a guide for the administration in determining what Wiley College will look like in 50 years. The institution’s academic and sports programs will benefit from this vision. One way for them to develop organically is through sports. For the fall 2023 semester, they also reinstated the Wiley College band. Felton was able to reimagine the Pemberton facility, which will now include a community engagement component, thanks to outstanding donations from a variety of sources. To improve opportunities in Marshall, its Extended Education program, commonly known as its adult learning program, has received a workforce development grant.

Notable Alumni

Several Black American figures in politics, athletics, the arts and education may be attributed to Wiley. James L. Farmer Jr., a well-known Wiley alumnus and the son of a longtime

professor, James L. Farmer Sr., is among the college’s most noteworthy graduates. When the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) was founded in 1942, James L. Farmer Jr. was among its founding members. From 1961 to 1966, he also held the position of National Director for CORE, and for one year under the Nixon Administration, he was the Assistant

Elected for Who’s Who were: Robert Harber, Russ Simpson, Ravel Korossy, Alphonsa McAlee, Patricia Cole, Karla Klugh, Donald L. Gibson, Mary L. Taylor, Will Jefferson and Dorothy Soloman in 1962. Photo fromWiley College

Secretary for the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Graduates of the university include Heman Marion Sweatt, the plaintiff in the 1950 U.S. Supreme Court case that desegregated the University of Texas Law School.

After graduating from Wiley in 1952, Ms. Opal Lee, often known as “the grandmother of Juneteenth,” organized marches in towns all over the country as part of her fight to have June 19 declared a federal holiday. President Joseph

Biden approved Senate Bill S. 475 on June 17, 2021, designating Juneteenth as the 11th federal holiday. Lee was in attendance for Wiley’s sesquicentennial celebrations. The most renowned head coach at Wiley is Fred T. Long. With one break, he would spend 32 years starting in 1923 compiling a record of more than 200 victories in football alone. Nevertheless, it should be remembered that early in his coaching stint at Wiley, he also coached baseball, basketball and track, winning titles for Wiley in all three sports. In 1928, 1932 and 1945, his Wiley Wildcats football team captured three historically Black national titles. He served as the SWAC’s president three times and was a founding member of the State Fair Classic, which was held annually during “Negro Day” at the Texas State Fair in Dallas and drew more than 20,000 spectators.

James Wheaton, an actor in theater, screen and television, received his degree from Wiley in 1945. While he had great success on the stage, Wheaton would arrive in Hollywood via television performances on “Good Times” and his recurrent role as Nelson B. Davis, “The Friendly Undertaker,” on Sanford and Son. Also, he appeared in movies with Drew Barrymore and Bill Cosby.

Ms. Opal Lee, Class of 1952, “the grandmother of Juneteenth”

150th Celebrations

Students, professors and community members held a number of events during the month of March to commemorate Wiley’s rich history. On March 13, the institution held an “Oral History Project and Reception” in the Thomas Winston Cole Sr. Library, named for its 10th president. On March 14, there was a chapel service for the 150th anniversary.

The film “Freedom” had its debut at the school on March 15.

The Freedom Film Project is part of a new college initiative at funded by a grant from the Propel Center and Apple. The new initiative provides support for students to engage in opportunities with partners to increase involvement in all aspects of the film industry.

The film focused on the topic of Wiley College as a central space for “Freedom,” citing the institution’s long history of activism through its past graduates, such as Heman Sweatt, James Farmer Jr., Opal Lee and current students. Featured students share their own freedom stories about incarceration, immigration, college access and mental health.

The grant funded the production of the film, paid internships, travel to filming sites and the new academic coursework. The year-long project comes to a close on March 16 with the premiere of 1700 Miles: A Journey to Explore Freedom.

“The project was an amazing opportunity for Wiley College students to express themselves through film,” aid Natalie Hill, department chair of mass communication. “They spent months learning the elements of film production from

MAY JOSEY REUNION 4D BARREL RACE

4-7

MAY JOSEY JR WORLD 4D BARREL RACE

12-14

OHIO SWANTON*

May 19-21 Team Josey - 2 1/2 Day Barrel Racing Clinic

TEXAS MARSHALL

June 4-10 7 Day Barrel Racing School I

June 4-10 7 Day Calf Roping School

June 13-15 Summer 3 Day Barrel Racing Clinic

June 18-24 7 Day Barrel Racing School II

June 18-24 7 Day Breakaway School

Sept 8-10 Train to Win - 2 1/2 Day Barrel Racing Clinic

MISSISSIPPI HATTIESBURG*

Sept 15-17 Team Josey - 2 1/2 Day Barrel Racing Clinic

OCTOBER NEW AT JOSEY RANCH

13-15 JOSEY GOLD

13-15 JOSEY GOLD CUP SENIOR RACE

OKLAHOMA DUNCAN*

Nov 3-5 Team Josey -2 1/2 Day Barrel Racing Clinic

TEXAS MARSHALL

Nov 10-12 Fall -2 1/2 Day Barrel Racing Clinic

Nov 24-26 Thanksgiving -3 Day Barrel Racing Clinic

Dec 27-29 Year End -2 1/2 Day Barrel Racing Clinic

The A Capella Choir of Wiley College performs during the Wiley College spring convocation in the Julius S. Scott Sr. Chapel.

our industry partner, Cunningham Creative, and then spent the summer filming across the South, including a Juneteenth Celebration in Galveston, Texas. As a result, the students now have created an incredibly powerful film that honors Wiley College’s freedom story and their own.”

Students from across the campus were invited to participate in the project; 11 were selected to participate.

“As a student, I have never experienced anything like this, it was amazing to learn how to create a full-production film,” said Xaevion Turk, senior, mass communication. “It was a special treat to be able to use my own story of freedom to shape the screenplay. It is a once in a lifetime experience to be able to be a part of this history making film.”

The “Celebration Under the Stars” event and the sesquicentennial convocation both took place on March 17. The latter ceremony was held at Wiley’s pedestrian plaza, which was named for one of its most successful and well-known graduates, Heman Marion Sweatt.

On March 18, Ms. Opal Lee and President Felton participated in a “fireside chat” hosted by Wiley.

Felton said the college is not only proud of Lee but all Wiley graduates who are making an impact.

“We will continue to say how proud we are of you and all of our alums who really feed into this notion of being a beacon, a hero and a shining light,” said Felton.

Felton thanked her for returning home to help celebrate the college’s Sesquicentennial observance.

“On behalf of our board of trustees, our alumni — your brothers and sisters — our students, our staff, we say thank you,” said Felton. “Raising that banner high, the Opal Lee banner high, is what we will do forever. We thank you for your leadership — nationally and internationally — and we thank you for always remembering home. You are always welcome back.”

With that said, Lee stressed the importance of always remembering one’s roots.

“I want everybody else to understand home should never be forgotten,” she said. “I don’t care where you go…please [don’t forget home].”

Jessica Harker and Robin Y. Richardson contributed to this story.

Roger Garcia, Kris

Chad R. Reed, DDS Misty M. Fyffe, DDS Charles A. Parker, DDS

“We will continue to say how proud we are of you and all of our alums who really feed into this notion of being a beacon, a hero and a shining light.”

- President Felton

1. A photo is taken when the 1,000th book is stamped at the Wiley College library on May 17, 1974. 2. A group has their photo taken at Wiley College in 1963. 3. Wiley College President Herman Felton Jr. speaks during one of the college’s 150th anniversary events in March. 4. The Hayes Auditorium is pictured on the Wiley College

Through the Years

campus. 5.Wiley College is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2023. 6. Mrs. E.M. Cole, wife of the President and official hostess of Wiley College, is shown in the dining room in 1963. 7. The Wiley College spring convocation, on Tuesday January 14, 2020, in the Julius S. Scott Sr. Chapel.

1. Pictured are members of the 1968-69 men’s golf team. Coach Robert Kenney, Keith Kenner, Robert Kennedy, Aaron Trimble, Marvin Franklin and Henry Martin were named All-SWAC and All-NAIA District 8. 2. Wiley College president, Herman J. Felton Jr., welcomes an audience to the 133rd Commencement ceremony Saturday, May 7, 2022. 3. A marching band performs at Wiley College in 1962. Photo from Wiley College archives. 4.Wiley College is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. 5. Large crowds were on hand to watch the game from start to finish in 1963, the Wiley College Wildcats snatching the victory from the visiting Jaguars. 6. Wiley College alumni march through downtown Marshall in June 2020. 7. Wiley College students attend a new dinner series with President Herman Felton Jr. in September 2019. 8. The President’s House was built in 1903.

let there be art!

Marshall Regional Arts Council looks to bring arts, education to the whole community

story & photos by Jessica Harker

For over 50 years, the Marshall Regional Arts Council and its board of directors have worked in East Texas to promote the arts and artists, bringing not only arts education to the students in local communities, but also bringing performances, opportunities and much more to the areas they serve.

“Our focus is bringing the arts to our community as well as promoting the arts and artists,” said Director Fran Hurley, “We are dedicated to the promotion of the arts, and ensuring every student in our community has access to art and arts education.”

MRAC has been a staple of the Marshall community for decades, but like most nonprofits, especially those within the arts, the organization faced major drawbacks in 2020 due to

the COVID-19 pandemic.

With performances being canceled, artists unable to perform and the organization losing the ability to meet with students within the school district, the arts council struggled to stay active and relevant.

However, since that time Hurley said that the arts organization has come back stronger than ever, using the last three years to revamp its bylaws, restructure the organization and take a meaningful look at what new needs were present in the community.

In the 2022-23 school year, the Marshall Regional Arts Council was once again able to sponsor educational programs for the Marshall Independent School District, ensuring that every student enrolled in MISD this year was able to

Art work on display now for the annual Mini Monet student art competition hosted by the Marshall Regional Arts Council.

participate in at least one special performance.

Student artists also were invited to participate in this year’s Mini Monet arts competition, organized by board member Patty Lovelace. The competition is an annual event organized by MRAC which allows students in Harrison, Marion, Panola and other local counties to enter their original art work in grades kindergarten through high school.

Students are awarded first through third place prizes, as well as honorable mentions, and are judged officially by artists each year. The competition offers students the opportunity to showcase their artwork, and even potentially earn a number of prizes, including a scholarship this year to Panola College.

Not only does the organization provide performances and artistic opportunities for students, but they have also recently begun hosting the monthly Third Saturday Weekend event series.

The new series began in 2022, with board member Steven McFarland along with board member Chip Arledge with 92.3 the Depot radio station spotting the need within the Marshall community for continuous artistic performances.

The two partnered with other Marshall businesses, nonprofits, East Texas performers and even the City of Marshall to begin hosting a full weekend of events every Third Saturday of the month.

The new series has showcased local performers, as well as played host to out of town performances being brought into the Marshall area.

“The event has become a showcase for us every month, and not only brings the outside community into the city, but also offers the Marshall community something interesting to look forward to doing every month,” Hurley said.

The organization also partners with performance venues like Memorial City Hall, sponsoring performances like the

Fran Hurley with the Marshall Regional Arts Council does arts and crafts project with kids in downtown.

recent showcase by Ruthie Foster held at the venue earlier this month.

Throughout the year, Hurley said that the arts council is constantly looking for opportunities to partner with the community, to offer any support to supplement the work being done already within the community.

This extends to events like last year’s hosting of the International Country Music Awards for the first time in the City of Marshall.

The MRAC partnered with the competition to hold a flag ceremony before the contest, honoring the dozens of countries represented in the city at that time, as well as inviting those artists to perform outside of the competition for the community.

For more information on the arts organizations, upcoming performances and more, community members can visit www.facebook.com/MarshallRegionalArtsCouncil.

A collaborative art show of the Marshall Regional Arts Council and the Panola College Arts Department was on display during September 2020 at Marshall Place.

The News Messenger staff recently moved into our new home at Synergy Park, the East Texas Baptist University-led project to revitalize one of downtown Marshall’s largest buildings into space for classes, programs, community nonprofits and other businesses.

For most people, the building has been a bank for all of their lives. Capital One was the most recent before the building was vacated, but some readers might remember the name Hibernia, and if you’ve been around long enough, you’ll know it as First National Bank.

“First National’s Modern Building Of Latest Design” was the headline on Sunday, July 12, 1970 as First National Bank

Synergy Park building first opened in 1970 as ‘modern building of latest design’

story by Meredith Shamburger

opened its doors at a new building at 100 N. Bolivar in downtown Marshall.

“Beams flare out and meet in a rounded arch above the black slate walls of one of the most modern major buildings ever constructed in Marshall.

“It is the new three-story home of the First National Bank of Marshall.

“On the old courthouse square for more than 40 years, First National has a new location.

“Surrounding itself with the streets and its own parking lot, the new building sits apart, visible from all four sides.

“The new location actually includes the old location of the

94-year-old bank company. In 1884 the first First National Bank opened for business where the time and temperature sign now stands on the new bank parking lot.

“The original building later became a barber shop when the bank moved to the north side of the square 40 years ago.

“The George L. Dahl Co., architects of the largest banks in Dallas, designed and built the new First National at a cost of some $1.5 million.

“Dahl has also designed structures for the University of Texas and East Texas State University in Commerce as well as banks all over the United States.

“A departure from the ultra-conservative look of older bank buildings, the new design was worked out between First National’s Board of Directors’ Building Committee as well as of the architects.

“Frank C. Green Jr., president of the bank, said he believes the new design will not be dated and will blend with any future major building changes in the area.

“All utility poles were taken down from around the new building to provide an unfettered look.

“Some poles remain along the east exit by the drive-in windows but these will be removed.

“When the lines were put underground, First National also

arranged to provide extra space beneath its parking lot for the Southwestern Electric Company.

“The electric company can use the space for transformers for three other city blocks when utility wires go underground for all of downtown Marshall.

“With 40,000 square feet of floor space, First National has more than enough room for the present and the third floor has been left unfinished on the inside.

“However, Green anticipates that within three years expansion will demand the use of the third floor.

“The second floor houses the commercial and trust section while personal banking is done on the first floor.

“Escalators running through the center of the building provide easy communication between the two floors.

“The lower level houses the bank’s computer and data pro-

“A departure from the ultraconservative look of older bank buildings, the new design was worked out between First National’s Board of Directors’ Building Committee as well as of the architects.”

cessing department.

“It is from this level that a tunnel runs underground beneath the parking lot to a room of spiral staircases leading to the drive-in booths.

“Customers can enter the building from the parking lot or at the entrance on the square. The parking lot is accessible by three streets and exits onto a fourth.

“With the new building and added space, Green said First National is ‘ready to move out in expanding.’”

Much of the original bank’s design is no more. Today ETBU has renovated the interior space into another bright and modern structure. One thing that does remain, but is no longer used, is the tunnel underneath the building. It’s a cool feature that once connected the main bank to the drivethrough windows, one at the time the paper reported “runs from the lower level of the bank underground beneath the parking lot and opens to another wider tunnel-like room containing a lounge and six spiral staircases leading to the drive-

in booths above ground.”

As a 1970 article explained at the time, it gave them a personal touch:

“Six drive-in booths were built, but it was planned, says Bushe Morgan, vice president and cashier, to use only five at first until the need for the sixth became evident.

“Though some banks have chosen to employ closed circuit television for drive-in windows, First National has preferred to retain the system of having the teller present in the booth.

“Morgan said he felt that personal service and the personal relationships between tellers and customers are very important in what a bank has to offer.

“TV, he said, though it may be fascinating at first for children who accompany their parents to the bank, takes something away from the personal relationship with customers, especially with those who prefer to go to their favorite same teller.

“‘The buildings are changing,’ Morgan explained, ‘but the people are the same.’”

“The buildings are changing, but the people are the same.”

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