Bank of Vernal

The Bank of Vernal was completed in February 1917. W. H. Coltharp had the bank built in honor of his father, W.P. Coltharp, which took the place of the Coltharp Mercantile Company. Only the best materials were used, including the brick that was made in Salt Lake City. Unfortunately the freight for the 80,000 bricks was four times the cost of the brick. Mr. Coltharp utilized the lower rate of parcel post service. The bricks were wrapped in 50 pound paper packages and mailed in numerous shipments. The 407 mile route took the bricks from Salt Lake City to Mack, Colorado, to Watson, Utah to Vernal. The Bank of Vernal became known as the "bank sent by mail." NOTE: This photograph is dated to within a few years by the flag pole in the center of the street that is partially visible at the right edge of the photo. The flag pole stood in the center of Main Street and was there from 1918 to 1924.