Bank of Turtle Lake was incorporated on March 17, 1900 in a small wooden structure on Paul Street, just south of the Fisk Hotel. The organizers were F.C. Wickenberg, John H. Bunker, L.M. Richardson and Francis McKenzie. The first officers were President L.M. Richardson, Vice President J.H. Bunker, and Cashier Francis McKenzie. The first board of directors included J.H. Bunker, L.M. Richardson, and F.C. Wickenberg. On October 2, 1901, Katie Bunker was elected director to succeed resigning F.C. Wickenberg.

The bank erected a new facility in 1902 and opened for business in November of that year. The location of the bank seemed to have made a strong appeal to criminals. Just before the new building was occupied, an attempted robbery was frustrated. However, in October 1918, Bank of Turtle Lake was robbed quite successfully, as the bandits escaped with around $5,000 and killed one of the town’s citizens. The Turtle Lake Times carried the following account in the October 10, 1918 issue: “Sidney Ward, age 45, was mortally wounded at 2:30 this morning by a bandit guard while the Bank of Turtle Lake was being looted…Sidney Ward was 45 years of age and is survived by a widow and eight children.”

When the bank was organized in 1900, the entire region was largely cutover timberland. As the settlers began to move in and as land development commenced, the bank’s activities increased. From lumber and sawmill operations, the chief occupation rapidly changed to farming. World War I sent land prices skyrocketing, and by 1922, Bank of Turtle Lake carried deposits of about $250,000. The bank weathered the Great Depression and was made a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on February 1, 1934.

Bank of Turtle Lake remained in the hands of the Bunker and Richardson families for many years. John Bunker succeeded Len Richardson as president and held that position until his death in 1936. At that time, Len’s son, Elwood, moved to town and was elected president to succeed John Bunker. George Bunker served on the board of directors.

When Bank of Turtle Lake celebrated its 40th anniversary on March, 15, 1940, all three members of the original board had passed away, but Cashier F.G. McKenzie was still with the bank, faithfully performing his duties after 40 years of uninterrupted service. In 1944, William Nuesse, son-in-law of John Bunker, succeeded McKenzie as cashier.

Bank of Turtle Lake was sold to stockholders of Northwestern Bank of Cumberland in 1944 and Arthur Quinn was elected president. On May 1, 1944, Ernest “Ernie” Wick, formerly with Northwestern State Bank in Cumberland, was named cashier. Assisting him at Turtle Lake were George Bunker and Mabel Fredericks. Deposits exceeded $1,000,000 in July 1946, shortly before the bank’s 50th anniversary.

Ernie Wick served as cashier until his death in 1952. He was succeeded by Donald E. Wick, at which time the Wick family purchased Bank of Turtle Lake’s stock. In January 1953, Don Wick was named president and cashier.

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in August 1966 for a new bank facility on South Maple Street. The structure was completed in 1967 and continues to house Bank of Turtle Lake. Construction of an addition to the building began in October 1975.

With continued growth over the years, Don Wick saw four of his sons join him in the bank: Pat in 1972, Mark in 1976, Jim in 1981 and Paul in 1982. Don retired in May 1989 and a bank stock sale transferred the controlling ownership of Bank of Turtle Lake to his children.

In June 1991, Bank of Turtle Lake opened its Island City Branch in Cumberland with James A. Wick as manager. Another addition to the main office in 1993 provided more bookkeeping and computer areas, as well as two more drive-up lanes.

From its beginning, Bank of Turtle Lake has provided financial products and services in a manner that promotes employment and growth in the local economy. This will continue to be our goal into the future.

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