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National Bank Notes > North Dakota

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Valley City, American NB, W5364
Fr. 504 $20 1882BB
Grade: PMG Ch. Fine 15 Net    

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This bank was the third bank chartered in Valley City. It was chartered on May 21, 1900, shortly after the Spanish-American War, which may have encouraged the 'American National Bank' title. There were 5,518 sheets of Second Charter Brown Backs, Date Backs and Value Backs issued before liquidation on February 14, 1919. This is the earliest note reported. This piece has even circulation but there is a light stain across the left side. The signatures of A.H. Grady, President and James Grady, Cashier are there but not very clear. PMG notes: stains. Valley City is the county seat of Barnes County; the population was 6,585 at the 2010 census, a peak population of 7,843 was recorded in 1970. Founded by the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1872, this place was called Second Crossing of the Sheyenne, Fifth Siding, and Wahpeton before the year was over. In 1874 it was named Worthington, but confusion with Worthington, Minnesota resulted in another name change to Valley City, descriptive of its location in the Sheyenne River valley. Valley City was incorporated as a village in 1881, and became a city in 1883 with C. A. Benson as mayor. The city is known for its many bridges over the Sheyenne River including the Hi-Line Railroad Bridge. These bridges have earned it the distinction of being called the "City of Bridges". The city is also the home of Valley City State University, established here in 1890. Frank White, 8th Governor of North Dakota and Treasurer of the United States, and George Mason, founder of the American Motors Corporation, were natives of Valley City.

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