The Champaign County Bank was established in 1851 under the free-banking law of 1851.
After the U. S. Congress passed the National Bank Act in 1863, the Champaign County Bank obtained a national bank charter in 1865 becoming the Champaign National Bank of Urbana (ChNB).
In 1921, ChNB moved from 108 N. Main St. (photo #1) to 201 N. Main St. (photo#2). In 1929 the National Bank of Urbana merged with ChNB.
In 1991, ChNB moved its main office to 601 Scioto St. Civista Bank is now located at 601 Scioto St. (photo #3).
The building at 601 Scioto St. was formerly a residence thought to have been built in the 1860s. In 1899, Harry and Maude Loudenback Kirby purchased the house shortly after their son Robert S. Kirby II was born.
In a history written by Robert S. Kirby II titled “The Kirbys of Urbana, Ohio,” he relates that a former owner of the house was a notorious forger. Upon the arrest of the forger in Seattle, Washington, he was returned to Urbana by deputy sheriff Harry Kirby, father of Robert S. Kirby II.
___
The Champaign County Historical Museum is a not-for-profit organization that depends upon donations and dues to preserve, protect, archive and display the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story. The free public museum located at 809 E. Lawn Ave., Urbana, is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
