The Beginning

In 1872, the country found itself in the middle of Reconstruction. Federal troops occupied parts of the South in the aftermath of the Civil War, and Union war hero Ulysses S. Grant worked to rebuild the country as president of the United States.
 
Although parts of the U.S. still struggled to recover, the war actually had been good for Indiana’s economy. Corn, wheat, hogs and cattle were needed to feed troops and supplement depleted food supplies during and after the war. In addition, postwar rebuilding increased demand for manufactured goods. Hoosiers in almost every sector were thriving, and they needed banks.
 
Against this backdrop, Lake City Bank opened its doors on May 14, 1872. Learn more about the early years in these stories.