Four Points Bulletin

The Bank in Old Town has been a Mexican food restaurant since 1978, but its name tells another story. The building was built in 1913 in order to house First National Bank. The cement walls of the building and the bank vault both measure eighteen inches thick. The original hitching post, granite curb, and the bank vault are notable features that tie the building to its past. According to the historical marker database, this First National Bank site was the location of the first robbery in Riverside County history. It occurred on August 12, 1930. Upon his escape, the robber attempted to lock the teller and the cashier in the vault but they stuck a screwdriver in the door jam, preventing the door from closing all the way. It was quick thinking, and as a result people were able to catch up to him two miles down the road and recover the entire $2,000 of loot.

It seems like every time we go back to Old Town structures from the old, wild west Old Town have been torn down to make way for a brand new Old Town. All I can do is hope some of the few remaining places like The Bank continue to be a part of this “historic” neighborhood.