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The former bank in Britton
in 2000
TE Photo
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History
in a Pecan Shell
The estimated population of Britton is about 30 people. But while
most communities in Texas with a population this small are comprised
of scattered dwellings, Britton's population is rather concentrated
on just a few streets.
The post office was started in 1895 when the town was named Hellandville.
The name must not have meant much to the citizens (or else Mr. Helland
died) for it was changed the very next year to Britton.
Britton sits in a rather remote corner of Ellis
County and as the old saying goes - if you find yourself there,
you must've been looking for it.
The school-age children attend classes in nearby Mansfield
or Midlothian,
and not Waxahachie.
Britton's high water mark (population-wise) was reached with 300 people
around 1925. |
The bank building
in 2005
Photo
courtesy Karen Webb, June 2005 |
A view of the
bank interior
Photo
courtesy Karen Webb, June 2005
More Texas Banks |
Britton, Texas
Forum
The Only
Bank in the Region Not Robbed by Bonnie and Clyde
I happened across your magazine while doing a little family research.
The old bank belonged to my great grandfather, John William Bobbitt,
a banker, in the 1920s. As family legend has it, his two claims
to fame in the banking business in Britton were: 1) his was the
only bank in the region not held up by Bonnie
& Clyde, and 2) He paid all his depositors before closing at
the crash of 1929. My father was born in Britton in 1930. The family
moved to Dallas shortly
afterward, but we had extended family living in the region for many
years.
When I was little, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, we as a family
would drive to Britton and see the ruin of the old bank, which as
I remember had chickens living in it at that time. I haven't been
back in years and had assumed it was completely gone.
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Four
generation of Bobbitts |
Above is a photo
of four generations of Bobbitts taken in 1929 or 1930, probably in
Britton. In the foreground my father's elder brother, Dick Bobbitt
Jr, born in Britton in 1925, standing from left to right: Dick Bobbitt
Sr., my great grandfather John William Bobbitt and great-great grandmother,
who was known as "Granny Bobbitt" by all who knew her, who's name
was Laura. - Sincerely yours, John William Bobbitt, Dallas,
January 10, 2007
Britton,
TX Bank Building
Here are two pictures I took recently of the bank in Britton, TX.
It doesn't look like it will be standing much longer without a lot
of love and care. Most banks seem to be on a corner in a town, seeing
this one standing alone is rather unique in my traveling experiences.
I am glad I found this treasure. - Karen Webb, Burleson, TX, June
23, 2005
I found your
web site and was enthralled by its candor in preserving history
and to say the least, wanted to know more about our town that has
been annexed by Mansfield.
By chance I was made aware of someone coming from UT at Arlington
photographing Britton's old bank building. My father, Amado Benavidez
SR, owns the house and the old bank building. He has always wanted
to fix the old building up to preserve history and do something
for the community. My father is paralyzed on the left side and I
am the only son left alive to help him. I am inviting you to our
town to show you some historical building not accessible to the
public or anyone until now. - Best Regards, Amado Benavidez Jr.,
February 28, 2004
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Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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