The research that accompanied the application for nomination was written
by Frank Fanning and gives us an insite into why this building is considered
worthy of this recognition.

From the research text:   The Old Continental State Bank, constructed in
1906 is the most intact of the few remaining early commercial structures in
Roanoke.  Its simple design belies its former importance as the center of
economic life in its prosperous, cattle-raising community for many years.
Recent restoration has returned the structure to an important place in the
community as a visually prominent commercial building.

The town of Roanoke was platted by the Texas & Pacific Railroad and
was to serve as a making shipping point for the large cattle ranches of
southern Denton County for many years.  For more than 20 years following
the founding of the town, area cattlemen conducted their business without
the use of a local bank.  Cattle buying and selling caused large amounts of
cash to change hands, with the deal sealed with a handshake.  Sam Reynolds,
owner of one of the largest ranches in the area, and other local ranchers
recognized the need for a local bank where cash could safely be handled
and deposited.  As it was transactions were being made in the local saloons.
Then cowboy couriers were sent into Fort Worth or Denton to obtain or
deposit cash.  Robbery and embezzlement increased during this time so the
opening of the Continental State Bank in 1906 provided a safe, stable place
for cattle business and deposits.  Over twenty local retail businesses utilized
the back's services during this prosperous period of Roanoke's history.

The great depression of the 1930's brought a change in the ranching industry
and significantly altered the credit needs and banking habits of agricultural
communities of northern Texas.  In 1936, the Continental Bank in Fort Worth
deeded the Roanoke building to Claude W. Fanning, a local businessman who,
as clerk-treasurer, operated the Roanoke Federal Credit Union in the building
until 1959.  Thus, the structure continued to serve the financial needs of Roanoke
and retained its place as the economic center of the community for another two decades.  The building is now owned by Frank L. Fanning of Fort Worth.

Few of the structures representing the area's period of prosperity, from 1881
to 1929, remain today in Roanoke.  Recent restoration has stabilized the exterior
of the old bank building while retaining its significant interior details.  It remains
the most intact historic commerical building in the community.

The bank was nominated in the areas of architecture and commerce.  While it
is a relatively simple building architecturally, and commercially its influence never extended beyond the hamlet of Roanoke. It is nonetheless true that the interior fittings-pressed tin ceilings, safe door frontispiece, and especially the cabinetry-are
a rare and unusually intact survival for a turn-of-the-century commerical building
in it's region.