Horizon Bank History 1901-1925

1900coinsTwo bits for gas…

The dawn of 1900coinsthe last century saw citizens concerned about their money and looking for ways to control their individual assets and budgets.

In the early 1900s, many local citizens didn’t trust utility company meter readers. The gas company gave customers the option of paying for their gas service as they needed it — by feeding change into a “quarter meter” installed in the basement.

Much like a parking meter, the quarter meter held four quarters at a time. Whenever a stove flame flickered low — often during the process of cooking the family dinner, family members recall running to the basement to feed the meter and keep dinner cooking.

The proceeds from quarter meters were delivered to the Bank in canvas bags, counted with a crank-operated coin counter and hand wrapped.