American 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 American National Bank of Long Beach was the third national bank in the city and was founded the same year as the National Bank of Long Beach, both in 1903. The oldest national bank in the city was the First National Bank which was founded in 1900. The American National Bank would be the smallest of all the national banks in the city and would only survive until June 30th 1904 when in merged with the First National Bank of Long Beach. As the late John Hickman would say it was a "pocket change" bank. The total capitalization was only $50,000.00.

The founding and only president of the bank was Stephen Townsend, a well known developer not just in Long Beach, but also Pasadena, California. Mr. Townsend also founded the First National Bank of Huntington Beach, California.

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

$56,200 worth of money was issued in 14 months. $49,350. outstanding on the books of the bank in 1904.

The bank may have had some problems. The founding cashier. Fred Roher was replaced by W.A. Kennedy within the first three months of the bank opening. The bank was located on Pine Avenue, just north of Third Street on the west side of the street. This would be the same location which Farmers & Merchants Bank would open in 1907. Mr. Townsend was a founding stockholder of that bank too.

A receipt from the Pacific Electric Railway Co. in 1903 with a full signature of Stephen Townsend.

Payable for $300.00 for "rent of premises for ticket office June 29, 1903 to June 29, 1904".

This document is made to "Stephen Townsend President of Board of Trustees" but does not denote which board of trustees.

It maybe that the American National Bank could have closed it doors earlier had it not rented out part of its building to Pacific Electric Railway Company. Note the date June 29, 1904, the bank was liquidated and merged into the First National Bank, June 30, 1904.

How much of a $10.00 note is good enough for my collection? How about 1/8th of a note!

This is the only known part of a note from the American National Bank of Long Beach. It is just the bank's charter number and we know it is a $10 Red Seal since we can see part of the $10 and the bank only issued Red Seals! I'm happy to own it since no other notes are reported. The chances of another note to show from this bank is very small so I am happy to keep it until I can up grade it.