Veterans Memorial Park
The first bank in Hudson, known as the Hudson Bank, opened January 3, 1901. It was a private bank owned and controlled by Mr. A. W. Skinner. It was sold in May of 1907, and became the Hudson State Bank with J.W. Shepherd as its president. This sign was added to the top of the bank built in 1913.
During the depression in 1937, the bank closed. The bank’s closing was unique, as the 475 depositors received every cent that had been deposited. When the bank building was razed in 2013, this concrete sign was saved by the Hudson History Club.
Within the 36 years the bank was open, it was robbed twice. Sometime between 1901 and 1907, the Hudson Bank had its vault blown open but the inner safe containing nearly $1,100 was not injured. The blast was so loud it woke residents, and the frightened burglars left without a penny. Then on June 20th, 1921, the Hudson State Bank was entered by robbers around 12:45 p.m. They ordered the cashier to “stick’em up, stick’em up high!” and face the wall. They left with $500 and Liberty Bonds worth $1,500. Within two days, a Gridley, Illinois farmer and his hired hand were arrested for the robbery.
After its closing in 1937, the old bank building was a doctor’s office, residence, volunteer library and a police station.