National Bank of Long Beach

This on-line exhibit is geared to those interested in California History and National Bank Notes.

This page and it's contents are copyrighted. 2011 by:

A. Jacob, PO Box 8140, Gardnerville, NV 89460

The National Bank

OF Long beach, California

Federal Charter # 6730

American bankers association # 90-112

The National Bank of Long Beach had humble beginnings as the Bank of Long Beach and was founded with a partnership between P.E. Hatch and Jotham Bixby in 1896. Hatch did all the work, including sweeping the floors and the bank thrived.

The bank was located in the Knights of Pythias Hall located at 1 North Pine Avenue.

Mr. Jotham Bixby �The Father of Long Beach�

(From the estate of P.E. Hatch)

Interior view of the inside of the Bank of Long Beach. P.E. Hatch is the person to the far left. The others are unknown. Circa 1903

P.E. Hatch and family. His boy, John (on the tricycle) would grow up to be the Cashier of the National Bank of Long Beach and a lieutenant during the first World War.

Long Beach, CA. Photo circa 1897

(From the estate of P.E. Hatch)

P.E. Hatch and family.

This is the same house in about 1906.

Long Beach, CA. Photo circa 1906

(From the estate of P.E. Hatch)

Business card from the bank from 1900. Board of directors included Herman W. Hellman, a Los Angeles banker. Jotham Bixby, George H. Bixby, and Fred H. Bixby. George H. Bixby was the eldest son of Jotham Bixby. Fred H. Bixby was first cousin to Jotham Bixby once removed. (Second cousin in layman terms.)

The Bank of Long Beach was the only bank in town until the First National Bank of Long Beach was started in 1900. In 1903 the Bank of Long Beach Board of Directors voted to change the bank from a state chartered institution into a national chartered institution. On March 26, 1903 the bank was renamed "The National Bank of Long Beach" and received federal charter number 6730.

Series 1902 "Red Seal" $5 note, issued by the National Bank of Long Beach

Pen signed by:

P.E. Hatch - Cashier

Geo. H. Bixby - Vice President

Series 1902 "Red Seal" $5 note, issued by the National Bank of Long Beach

Overprinted signatures of:

P.E. Hatch - Cashier

Jotham Bixby - President

A wonderful booklet with lots of information about Long Beach from 1905.

By 1905, the bank started to out grow its current home and wishing to have a more modern and larger home, the property located at the Northeast Corner of Pine Avenue and First Street was purchased. The city's first steal and concrete "sky scraper" was erected. The location was just across the street of the First National Bank of Long Beach. The building would last until 1925 when it was replaced by the current building which occupies that location.

In 1909 Jotham Bixby wished to slow down, being up in his years. P.E. Hatch was appointed president, Jotham Bixby vice president. E.E. Norton, P.E. Hatch's brother-in-law became cashier. Norton joined the back in 1906. William Cook and A.V. Bradford were assistant cashiers.

Series 1902 "Red Seal" $10 note, issued by the National Bank of Long Beach

Overprinted signatures of:

E.E. Norton - Cashier

P.E. Hatch - President

Series 1902 "Date Back" $5 note, issued by the National Bank of Long Beach

Overprinted signatures of:

E.E. Norton - Cashier

P.E. Hatch - President

Series 1902 "Date Back" $10 note, issued by the National Bank of Long Beach

Overprinted signatures of:

E.E. Norton - Cashier

P.E. Hatch - President

Norton and Hatch in about 1915.

Norton was promoted to Vice President of the bank in 1914-1915

Series 1902 "Plain Back" $5 note, issued by the National Bank of Long Beach

Overprinted signatures of:

Wm. M. Cook - Cashier

P.E. Hatch - President

Series 1902 "Plain Back" $20 note, issued by the National Bank of Long Beach

Overprinted signatures of:

Wm. M. Cook - Cashier

P.E. Hatch - President

A young William M. Cook in about 1915. Cook started with the bank in 1908

and stayed with the bank until 1920.

A bank bag

Series 1902 "Plain Back" $5 note, issued by the National Bank of Long Beach

Overprinted signatures of:

J.E. Hatch - Cashier

P.E. Hatch - President

How very nice to have Mr. P.E. Hatch give us a tour of his home on Cedar Avenue and Fourth Street.

(All from the estate of P.E. Hatch)

Welcome to my home on the corner of Cedar Avenue and Fourth Street, here in Long Beach. As you can see, my wife and I are on the porch. Both my son and daughter have left the home and it is now just the Mrs. and I. Please, come in....

Here is our living room with stairs leading up to the bedrooms.

Ladies parlor which the Mrs. and female guests enjoy.

Here we have the formal dinning room. We just had a party last night and have not remove the decorations from the center light fixture. We have entertained a number of friends and guest including, Jotham Bixby and family. The Mrs. and I normally eat at a small table inside the kitchen.

After dinner the gentlemen retire to the men's parlor. This room also doubles as my home office.

This concludes the tour of my home. I hope you have enjoyed it and will return to visit again.

A paper clip which the bank gave out freely. This is only 1 of 2 that I have seen.

A sheet of letterhead from the bank signed by Wm. M. Cook Cashier

On February 26,1921 the National Bank of Long Beach wished to become a state institution again. A vote of the board of directors merged the bank with the Long Beach Savings Bank which was a sister institution. The Long Beach Trust and Savings Bank later merged with Security Trust and Savings Bank of Los Angeles. The bank built 1925 known today as the Security Bank Building now houses the restaurant "The Madison".

National Currency issued by the National Bank included the following types and circulation.

Series: 1902 "Red Seal" Denomination: $5 Total issued: 24,000

Series: 1902 "Red Seal" Denomination: $10 Total issued: 15,600

Series: 1902 "Red Seal" Denomination: $20 Total issued: 5,200

Series: 1902 "Date Back" Denomination: $5 Total issued: 48,000

Series: 1902 "Date Back" Denomination: $10 Total issued: 23,700

Series: 1902 "Date Back" Denomination: $20 Total issued: 7,900

Series: 1902 "Plain Back" Denomination: $5 Total issued: 64,000

Series: 1902 "Plain Back" Denomination: $10 Total issued: 7,00

Series: 1902 "Plain Back" Denomination: $20 Total issued: 2,400

$1,455,000 worth of money was issued in 28 years. 1921, there was $139,000. outstanding on the books of the bank.