155th Opening Day Anniversary
Today—July 13, 2007—marks 155 years to the date that Wells, Fargo, and Co. opened for business on Montgomery Street in San Francisco. The Corporate Archives is lucky enough to have a picture that documents the event. Ten gentlemen posed in front of a two-story building.
Many are surprised to learn Henry Wells and William G. Fargo are not in the first office picture; they remained back in New York and only received updates via letters and rare visits. We know the names of two gentlemen who worked in that office on opening day, Reuben W. Washburn and Samuel W. Carter. The rest are critical contributors to the story of July 13, but unknown to later generations.
Check out the "Wells Fargo Through the Decades" slide show, and watch for three of my favorite images:
- Five women agents smiling in front of a San Diego office in 1917
- Members of the Wells Fargo Nevada National Bank Club, enjoying a day at Spring Valley Lakes in June of 1921
- The Wells Belles of 1973; ready to defend the name of Wells Fargo through baseball.
They are all part of the fabric of the larger Wells Fargo story and, if not for a remaining image in our archives, nearly lost to posterity.
That brings me to today. We are having festivities in many Wells Fargo locations, including the San Francisco History Museum. Most of the everyday activities of life will not make it into the history books. But, just like those unknown faces in the first office picture, what you do today is making history.
Linking to non-Wells Fargo websites
Comments
Happy Anniversary Wells Fargo. It was fun to look at the photos through the decades. It is great to see all history through pictures.
Posted by: Jay Ray May | July 13, 2007 09:40 AM
We flew here from Sweden yesterday, and ended up at Wells Fargo at their 155 anniversary. Now we are going to have some cake and take another look. Bye
Posted by: Helena | July 13, 2007 11:34 AM
Happy 155th birthday, Wells Fargo. The museum at the Head Office always has a rich supply of information, very well and interestingly displayed. Today is especially nice because of the cake-crowd milling around, trying to work off the extra calories. The people in charge of the museum continually show their true joy of history. This enhances everyone's visit, making the time spent not only rewarding but enjoyable.
Posted by: Neil | July 13, 2007 12:15 PM
I'm 68 and I've probably been a Wells Fargo customer for 60 years! I became a customer when American Trust Company sent a representative to the grammar school I was attending and signed up all the kids and gave them bank books. We used to make deposits of 25 cents or more, usually not more, just 25 cents! They taught us to save on a weekly basis. I've been a customer ever since. Now instead of making deposits in my savings account, I'm making deposits in my retirement account!
In 1967 they issued a credit card and I couldn't imagine what in the world anyone would need one of these for, because we always used cash. There were very few merchants, and the gas stations certainly didn't accept them. I probably didn't use the card for 10 years, then all of a sudden, it became useful.
Posted by: George | July 13, 2007 12:22 PM
As a new Wells Fargo team member, I am pleased to join in the celebration of our 155th anniversary. Great job to everyone involved!
Posted by: Jonathan A. | July 13, 2007 12:56 PM
Hi Wells Fargo - we picked the right day to call into your museum as we could help celebrate your 155th birthday. We found our visit very informative and would recommend it to our friends in the UK Best wishes Janet & Stephen W., Liverpool UK - with my sister and brother in law Kathy & Rudi K. from Florida USA
Posted by: Janet & Stephen | July 13, 2007 01:22 PM
More cake, please
Posted by: AB | July 13, 2007 01:28 PM
cool
Posted by: uyo8ylop7 | July 13, 2007 06:13 PM
Thought the slide show was fantastic and the music accompanying it was an extra bonus!! Wells Fargo has always been known as a class act. Did they have cake here in Phoenix? Just kidding!!
Posted by: Peter | July 15, 2007 08:32 PM
If we ordered cake in Phoenix, it obviously didn't make it past our History Inspection Team
Posted by: Charles Riggs | July 16, 2007 01:39 PM