SoCal Landmarks

SoCal Landmarks

A Photography Project

Farmers and Merchants Bank, Fullerton, Orange County

Farmers and Merchants Bank

Farmers and Merchants Bank, the first bank in Fullerton, was built in 1904. It played a significant role in the development of the area as it was owned and managed by the same men who founded the city and developed the citrus industry in the area. In 1922 architect Frank Benchley designed the beaux-arts facade – the only such style to adorn a building in the city. After the bank vacated the building in 1944, the Fullerton Music Company occupied it for over 40 years. The building was completely rehabilitated in 1989, when it was converted for use as a multi-tenant commercial building and given the name Landmark Plaza. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Fullerton, Orange County
Images by Al Russell