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Check
Out These Checks!
Presidential Collection a Unique Piece
of History in LaGrange
Did you know that you can do your banking and enjoy a history
lesson, too? We encourage you to visit our main lobby and view
the bank’s truly unique collection of checks written by
38 of the 43 Presidents of the United States. These checks are
authenticated, insured and bolted to the lobby walls. The collection
has been acquired piecemeal over the last three decades from collectors
and historians throughout the United States.
Each check, beginning with George Washington’s dated November
18, 1797, represents a unique piece of history. The collection also
raises some interesting questions. For instance, what was Abraham
Lincoln doing when he wrote a check to “self” for $800
on March 15, 1865, less than one month before his assassination?
Imagine what $800 in cash would equal in today’s dollars?
Assuming a 3% inflation rate, my calculations come out to $48,507.94!
Teddy Roosevelt’s check, dated November 29, 1912, was written
to a Milwaukee physician six weeks after he was shot in the chest
in Milwaukee while campaigning on the “Bull Moose” ticket.
Not only did Roosevelt survive the attack; he also completed his
speech! Roosevelt later commented, “ I did not care a rap
for being shot. It is a trade risk, which every prominent public
man ought to accept as a matter of course.” I wonder whether
Dr. George W. Hochrein helped save Teddy Roosevelt’s life.
In 1948, while supporting Harry Truman’s campaign, Ronald
Reagan wrote a $50 check to American’s For Democratic Action,
one of the nation’s oldest liberal political organizations.
It was not until 1962 when Reagan officially switched his allegiance
to the Republican Party.
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View the Presidential Checks online using the menus
below.
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