https://www.facebook.com/622713977582365/

FMB Legacy

Welcome to the Pilot Point Historic Farmers & Merchants Bank Restoration page. Follow for updates on our journey to revive this iconic landmark!

05/28/2026

What started as a few discoveries has turned into something bigger—an entire box of original deposit slips from October 1904, all found inside the historic Farmers & Merchants Bank.

These documents show money moving though Pilot Point, tied to local businesses like the Cotton Oil Mill and larger trade cities like New Orleans and Galveston.

05/26/2026

Beneath one of Pilot Point’s oldest buildings, a story is being uncovered layer by layer.

Our feature in the May/June issue of 380 Guide shares a deeper look into the restoration journey behind the historic Farmers & Merchants Bank — from preserved bank slips hidden beneath the dirt for over a century to the intentional work happening below the surface to protect this building’s next 100 years.

What’s happening here is more than restoration. It’s discovery, preservation, and the beginning of something unforgettable.

Read the full feature in the latest issue of 380 Guide or online at 380guide.com.

05/21/2026

Beneath the historic bank, a new chapter is quietly taking shape.

What was once hidden below layers of dirt and time is being transformed into an intimate underground gathering space inspired by the timeless spirit of classic speakeasies, rich with history, atmosphere, and storytelling.

As restoration continues, every detail is being carefully preserved to create an experience that feels rooted in the building’s past while bringing new life to its future.

Join the presale membership list at FMBVault.com and follow the journey FMB Vault

05/19/2026

If you missed last week’s construction update video, here’s a peek at the current basement beneath the 1896 bank.

All of the dirt has now been removed to reach the new floor depth — and that line running across the brick walls shows where the original dirt level sat for decades underground.

What was once a low, cramped crawlspace is finally revealing the true scale of the basement as restoration work continues below. Every inch uncovered tells more of the building’s story… from the original brickwork and support columns to the artifacts hidden beneath it all.

As the dirt was removed, old bank slips, receipts, and papers dating back over a century were discovered perfectly preserved in time underground — protected for decades beneath the original lobby floor. Small pieces of history that likely hadn’t seen daylight since the early days of the bank itself.

This phase may not be the glamorous part, but it’s one of the most important. The work happening beneath the surface is what will allow the next chapter of this historic building — and The Vault — to take shape the right way.

More updates coming soon.

05/14/2026

Some projects are built. Others are uncovered.

There’s still a long way to go, but seeing the history, character, and raw bones of this place come back to life has us more excited than ever for what’s ahead.

We can’t wait to keep bringing you along for the process. 🗝️

05/12/2026

Hidden in the basement of the historic Farmers & Merchants Bank, we uncovered a bundle of original promissory notes from 1923–1924, issued to the Turner family. One note alone exceeds $1,500, with smaller notes—$50, $120, $48.30—issued throughout the year, forming what we’d now call a line of credit.

Each note is signed by hand and sealed with red revenue stamps, making them legally binding contracts. But the real weight sits behind them—an accompanying chattel mortgage that put everything on the line: livestock, equipment, the very means of making a living. If the debt wasn’t paid, it wasn’t just numbers that were lost—it was everything.

Real people. Real risk. Real decisions made in rooms just above where we now build.

As The Vault takes shape below ground, these discoveries are more than history—they are the foundation of what this space will become.

Because when those doors open, you won’t just be stepping into a speakeasy—you’ll be stepping into a place where every story has already been lived.

05/07/2026

Another treasure found in great condition! A handwritten postcard dated November 2, 1897, addressed to a Mr. J. V. Scivally in Aubrey, Texas from a sender in Bonham.

In the message, the writer explains that a note has been sent to the Farmers & Merchants Bank in Pilot Point ‘as per your instructions,’ and requests that exchange be issued for its value.

This postcard shows how money and instructions moved between towns - entirely by handwritten communication sent through the mail.

05/05/2026

A 1904 letter from the T. V. Munson Collection reveals the leadership of the Farmers & Merchants Bank in its early years—listing G. E. Light (President), D. W. Light (Vice President), C. L. Stone (Cashier), and Joe B. Burks (Assistant Cashier).

In it, D. W. Light corresponds with T. V. Munson about sourcing sand and gravel by rail—showing how closely the bank’s leadership was tied to the growth and development of Pilot Point.

Preserved through the Portal to Texas History, this document offers a direct glimpse into the people and decisions that helped shape the town over 125 years ago.

04/30/2026

Amazing things are being discovered inside the basement of the Farmers and Merchants Bank- perfectly preserved in the dirt underneath the lobby floors.

These original bank deposit and collection slips date back to the earliest days of the building’s operation.

One slip from the Red River National Bank in Gainesville is dated October 22, 1897, and the other from First National Bank is dated October 6, 1900.

Follow along as we continue uncovering the history hidden beneath the floors.

04/28/2026

One of the most incredible discoveries yet, an original handwritten postcard dated July 7, 1897, addressed to D. W. Light Jr. , one of the founders and Vice President of the historic Farmers & Merchants Bank.

The message reads: ‘Your check $65 at hand. Let us hear from you often.’

129 years ago, this is how banking relationships were built, through handwritten notes confirming payments and ongoing business. That $65 check would be the equivalent of roughly $2,300–$2,500 today, showing just how significant these transactions were.

The Light family was one of the early and influential families in Pilot Point, helping shape the town’s growth through cattle ranching (established the well-known “53” brand), land development and business.

Found inside the very building he helped create, this postcard is a direct connection to those that helped build this community.

Do you have a connection to the light family? Please share in the comments or tag someone who might recognize the name. We’d love to learn and share more about the people connected to this building’s past.

Address

100 N. Washington Street
Pilot Point, TX
76258

Telephone

(972)2201400

Website

facebook.com

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when FMB Legacy posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to FMB Legacy:

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Pilot Point?