Santa Anna Economic Development Corp.
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| The Santa Anna National Bank |
Established in 1933, the Santa Anna National Bank has gone through
several face changes. The bank provides trade services primarily for
Coleman and Brown Counties.
In these trying economic times, Santa Anna Nat'l Bank has been able to
continue to serve as a stronghold in our community. More and more,
people outside of the primary service area are developing
relationships with this financial provider as they find a safer and more
secure venue to entrust their money and investments.
You will find when becoming a part of the Santa Anna National Bank
family a true sense of belonging. It is a place where you can go in and
just about everyone in the bank will know you by name. In fact the
customers who are not rushed for time and are walk-in patrons most
always will feel quite comfortable and at home in the newly decorated
lobby of the bank. Even those of the canine persuasion are made to
feel welcome as tellers usually know them by name and will
acknowledge them with a tasty doggy treat...it's just that kind of
atmosphere.
On Fridays you can come in and the first thing that hits you is the aroma
of fresh popped pop corn. Grab a bag to munch on while there or just
take with you.
several face changes. The bank provides trade services primarily for
Coleman and Brown Counties.
In these trying economic times, Santa Anna Nat'l Bank has been able to
continue to serve as a stronghold in our community. More and more,
people outside of the primary service area are developing
relationships with this financial provider as they find a safer and more
secure venue to entrust their money and investments.
You will find when becoming a part of the Santa Anna National Bank
family a true sense of belonging. It is a place where you can go in and
just about everyone in the bank will know you by name. In fact the
customers who are not rushed for time and are walk-in patrons most
always will feel quite comfortable and at home in the newly decorated
lobby of the bank. Even those of the canine persuasion are made to
feel welcome as tellers usually know them by name and will
acknowledge them with a tasty doggy treat...it's just that kind of
atmosphere.
On Fridays you can come in and the first thing that hits you is the aroma
of fresh popped pop corn. Grab a bag to munch on while there or just
take with you.
So you see, even in these trying economic times, there is still a
bank that always puts its customers first...The Santa Anna
National Bank.
Lobby & Drive In Hours Are:
Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(Except Holidays)
Bank President - Robert J. Cheaney II
Address - 610 Wallis Ave.
Phone - 325-348-3108
Fax - 325-348-31l73
bank that always puts its customers first...The Santa Anna
National Bank.
Lobby & Drive In Hours Are:
Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(Except Holidays)
Bank President - Robert J. Cheaney II
Address - 610 Wallis Ave.
Phone - 325-348-3108
Fax - 325-348-31l73
Tuesday, March 10th, the old Santa Anna train freight depot was moved from a ranch south of town to downtown
Santa Anna, making this its final resting place.
The Santa Fe Depot serviced the area for more than 80 years. It was described by some as the hub of the
community. At a time when traveling long distances by train was most prevalent, people would gather at the depot
anticipating the arrival or departure of the huge iron convoy of passenger and box cars.
The Santa Anna Economic Development Corporation purchased the original train freight depot from local rancher Clint
McEwin. The building will encompass a Museum and Visitor’s Center, once closely restored to its original
appearance. When the depot closed in the 1960’s, it was purchased by Carl Benton, and later McEwin.
The thirty-four by eighty-seven foot freight depot traveled less than 10 miles, taking approximately an hour to arrive, at
a cost of $8,500. According to John Morris, EDC Vice President, the building would appraise at around $50,000. Its
structure sits on heavy wood beams, and the building consists of solid lumber of 3’ by 12’ flooring, metal roof and
primitive bead board cabinets.
One very important function of the EDC is promoting the community by the channeling of tourism. It is their hope that
this project will provide such an avenue and that by obtaining, restoring and furnishing the building with cherished
historical artifacts, it will benefit the community as well as travelers passing through.
The group has also begun researching ways of acquiring available grants that could help alleviate some of the
expenditures incurred. They rely on local sales tax dollars for funding as well as private donations when taking on
this type of project. The EDC will also depend on private citizens to volunteer time and manpower in restoring the
building.
Santa Anna, making this its final resting place.
The Santa Fe Depot serviced the area for more than 80 years. It was described by some as the hub of the
community. At a time when traveling long distances by train was most prevalent, people would gather at the depot
anticipating the arrival or departure of the huge iron convoy of passenger and box cars.
The Santa Anna Economic Development Corporation purchased the original train freight depot from local rancher Clint
McEwin. The building will encompass a Museum and Visitor’s Center, once closely restored to its original
appearance. When the depot closed in the 1960’s, it was purchased by Carl Benton, and later McEwin.
The thirty-four by eighty-seven foot freight depot traveled less than 10 miles, taking approximately an hour to arrive, at
a cost of $8,500. According to John Morris, EDC Vice President, the building would appraise at around $50,000. Its
structure sits on heavy wood beams, and the building consists of solid lumber of 3’ by 12’ flooring, metal roof and
primitive bead board cabinets.
One very important function of the EDC is promoting the community by the channeling of tourism. It is their hope that
this project will provide such an avenue and that by obtaining, restoring and furnishing the building with cherished
historical artifacts, it will benefit the community as well as travelers passing through.
The group has also begun researching ways of acquiring available grants that could help alleviate some of the
expenditures incurred. They rely on local sales tax dollars for funding as well as private donations when taking on
this type of project. The EDC will also depend on private citizens to volunteer time and manpower in restoring the
building.
Train Dept Warehouse Moved To
Downtown Santa Anna....
Downtown Santa Anna....
Lavern Haynes Evans has experienced more in the banking industry than most of us can comprehend. At the age of 83, Lavern has been
employed with the Santa Anna National Bank for the past fifty-five years.
As soon as she graduated from Santa Anna High School at the age of fifteen, Lavern was hired by then president and the bank’s only loan
officer, Oscar L. Cheaney. Her primary responsibility was typing cotton loans when one of the town’s most central economic assets was
the Santa Anna Coop Gin.
Lavern left the bank for a brief time in order to give birth to a daughter, now 64, and son, now 60.
Because of drought conditions and an economic downfall, Lavern’s husband was forced to abandon his farming and go to work at an
aircraft factory in Brady, and she was welcomed back to the bank.
Once returning to the bank, she worked as a bookkeeper and in investments.
For the past 10 years, Lavern has worked as a teller. For the past few years she has worked under the leadership of bank president, Rob
Cheaney, the grandson of her first boss.
Lavern describes her beginnings as a time when there was no drive through at the bank and account numbers were not used, only names
that were placed in alphabetical order.
According to Lavern, everything was typed in duplicate and the bank went through a lot of carbon paper in those days. “All of the
statements were typed, posted to a ledger and sent out manually along with the original checks.” she added.
Cheaney said that Lavern was part of an era when employees were required to work six days a week from seven to five except on
Saturdays when they worked until three. He said that at that time, employees had to run tapes on every transaction and you acquired your
bank white checks from local merchants when shopping.
Even after the bank became automated, Cheaney says that Lavern has been able to obtain a basic knowledge of computers. “High tech has
been hard on her, but she is good with people and she relates to the older folks that come into the bank, and that‘s important.” added
Cheaney.
When asked why she has not retired, Lavern’s response is “I don’t care anything about traveling, and I enjoy people and keeping busy.
Right now I’m just taking it one day at a time.”
By Judy Meister
employed with the Santa Anna National Bank for the past fifty-five years.
As soon as she graduated from Santa Anna High School at the age of fifteen, Lavern was hired by then president and the bank’s only loan
officer, Oscar L. Cheaney. Her primary responsibility was typing cotton loans when one of the town’s most central economic assets was
the Santa Anna Coop Gin.
Lavern left the bank for a brief time in order to give birth to a daughter, now 64, and son, now 60.
Because of drought conditions and an economic downfall, Lavern’s husband was forced to abandon his farming and go to work at an
aircraft factory in Brady, and she was welcomed back to the bank.
Once returning to the bank, she worked as a bookkeeper and in investments.
For the past 10 years, Lavern has worked as a teller. For the past few years she has worked under the leadership of bank president, Rob
Cheaney, the grandson of her first boss.
Lavern describes her beginnings as a time when there was no drive through at the bank and account numbers were not used, only names
that were placed in alphabetical order.
According to Lavern, everything was typed in duplicate and the bank went through a lot of carbon paper in those days. “All of the
statements were typed, posted to a ledger and sent out manually along with the original checks.” she added.
Cheaney said that Lavern was part of an era when employees were required to work six days a week from seven to five except on
Saturdays when they worked until three. He said that at that time, employees had to run tapes on every transaction and you acquired your
bank white checks from local merchants when shopping.
Even after the bank became automated, Cheaney says that Lavern has been able to obtain a basic knowledge of computers. “High tech has
been hard on her, but she is good with people and she relates to the older folks that come into the bank, and that‘s important.” added
Cheaney.
When asked why she has not retired, Lavern’s response is “I don’t care anything about traveling, and I enjoy people and keeping busy.
Right now I’m just taking it one day at a time.”
By Judy Meister
Lavern Evans...Still Going Strong At The Santa Anna National Bank
For an East Coast gal desiring to become a nurse in order to be on the “Love Boat”, Margaret “Peggy” Hensley, FNP, could not have found herself
further from the briny.
After marrying local Naval career man, John Hensley, and after his retirement, Peggy relocated to Texas. She then established her “own job” by
providing a medical service to the community when she opened the doors to the Hensley Family Health Clinic in Santa Anna in 1994.
The Family Health Clinic originally began operating as a Rural Health Clinic for Brownwood Regional Medical Center and then changed to a private
practice in 1996.
Ms Hensley received her BS in Nursing from College Misericordia in Dallas, Pennsylvania and an MS in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from
UT Arlington. Peggy says that she “saw the need for healthcare closer to home and immediately hung the shingle”.
According to Ms Hensley, the clinic gives people in Santa Anna and surrounding communities the opportunity to choose a Family Nurse Practitioner
to fulfill their needs for comprehensive, high-quality primary care. In addition they offer individualized health promotion, disease prevention, and
health education services to patients across the life span.
Ms Hensley states that they have a large referral network with Dr. Jason Hubbard of Brownwood providing collaboration and consultation services
to the clinic. HFHC is also able to help people manage their chronic medical problems such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure and breathing
disorders.
As busy as the medical profession has kept Peggy, she has also been able to divide her time and devotion to rancher husband, John, and to
daughters Jenna and Jesse. The girls seem to be following their mother’s footsteps as well, both graduating from Texas Tech…Jenna from pharmacy
school and Jesse from nursing.
further from the briny.
After marrying local Naval career man, John Hensley, and after his retirement, Peggy relocated to Texas. She then established her “own job” by
providing a medical service to the community when she opened the doors to the Hensley Family Health Clinic in Santa Anna in 1994.
The Family Health Clinic originally began operating as a Rural Health Clinic for Brownwood Regional Medical Center and then changed to a private
practice in 1996.
Ms Hensley received her BS in Nursing from College Misericordia in Dallas, Pennsylvania and an MS in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from
UT Arlington. Peggy says that she “saw the need for healthcare closer to home and immediately hung the shingle”.
According to Ms Hensley, the clinic gives people in Santa Anna and surrounding communities the opportunity to choose a Family Nurse Practitioner
to fulfill their needs for comprehensive, high-quality primary care. In addition they offer individualized health promotion, disease prevention, and
health education services to patients across the life span.
Ms Hensley states that they have a large referral network with Dr. Jason Hubbard of Brownwood providing collaboration and consultation services
to the clinic. HFHC is also able to help people manage their chronic medical problems such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure and breathing
disorders.
As busy as the medical profession has kept Peggy, she has also been able to divide her time and devotion to rancher husband, John, and to
daughters Jenna and Jesse. The girls seem to be following their mother’s footsteps as well, both graduating from Texas Tech…Jenna from pharmacy
school and Jesse from nursing.
Hensley Family Health Clinic
| Beth Worley |
| Rita Day |
| Shirley Mobley of Shirley's Originals smobley@web-access.net 325-348-3495 |
Amid the small rural community of Santa Anna’s
historic old buildings, sits an unassuming store front
with a sign painted in cursive proudly notifying visitors
that they are at the Quilter’s Patch.
For ten years the Quilter’s Patch has not only been
able to stitch a pattern in time, but also of excellence.
Owners and neighbors, Rita Day and Beth Worley
began the business by chance after coming across an
opportunity to purchase a “long arm” quilting machine
from retiring quilter, 80 year old Roy Gardner of Coleman.
At a time when both husbands were retiring, Day and
Worley agreed that one of the reasons for establishing
the business was for sanity.
Before starting up the business, Day worked several
jobs.
Husband, Clint owned the local Western Auto that she
held a job at while working Wednesday’s concessions
for the Coleman Livestock Auction, as well as Thursday,
Friday and Saturday nights at a downtown restaurant
that belonged to her daughter, Tammie.
Worley worked as an LVN in home health care prior to
the partnership merge.
What developed from a skill the women obtained early
in life, was now a “thriving business,” confirmed Day
and Worley.
Both began sewing at young ages and continued to do
so for family needs and subsidizing incomes.
“I’ve sewn ever since I can remember. I had to sew
for others in order to make ends meet.” said Day.
After purchasing the machine, the two began putting
together their wares from a small space inside the
Western Auto Store, and it didn’t take long before folks
were coming into the store for orders that had nothing to
do with battery acid.
Word spread like a bobbin unraveling from a sewing
machine gone amok, and before they knew it, the auto
store was slowly being inched out of the picture.
Business was so brisk, that for the first couple of
years, both women were working late Thursday and
Friday nights.
“Quilters are a special breed.” admitted Worley.
The two proved that their creativity exceeds the know-
how that it takes to piece together a quilt.
Request to make cheerleading attire, slip covers, and
just about anything that has to do with sewing started
pouring in.
They also started carrying and selling all types of fabric
for customers who preferred to do-it-themselves.
According to Day and Worley, around 75% of their
business has been repeat customers. In fact, they have
customers from as far away as California, Tennessee,
Kentucky, Kansas and Missouri.
Even as this interview was taking place, a couple
from New York stopped in to browse.
It didn’t take long before it became evident that this is
an extremely active location in Santa Anna.
historic old buildings, sits an unassuming store front
with a sign painted in cursive proudly notifying visitors
that they are at the Quilter’s Patch.
For ten years the Quilter’s Patch has not only been
able to stitch a pattern in time, but also of excellence.
Owners and neighbors, Rita Day and Beth Worley
began the business by chance after coming across an
opportunity to purchase a “long arm” quilting machine
from retiring quilter, 80 year old Roy Gardner of Coleman.
At a time when both husbands were retiring, Day and
Worley agreed that one of the reasons for establishing
the business was for sanity.
Before starting up the business, Day worked several
jobs.
Husband, Clint owned the local Western Auto that she
held a job at while working Wednesday’s concessions
for the Coleman Livestock Auction, as well as Thursday,
Friday and Saturday nights at a downtown restaurant
that belonged to her daughter, Tammie.
Worley worked as an LVN in home health care prior to
the partnership merge.
What developed from a skill the women obtained early
in life, was now a “thriving business,” confirmed Day
and Worley.
Both began sewing at young ages and continued to do
so for family needs and subsidizing incomes.
“I’ve sewn ever since I can remember. I had to sew
for others in order to make ends meet.” said Day.
After purchasing the machine, the two began putting
together their wares from a small space inside the
Western Auto Store, and it didn’t take long before folks
were coming into the store for orders that had nothing to
do with battery acid.
Word spread like a bobbin unraveling from a sewing
machine gone amok, and before they knew it, the auto
store was slowly being inched out of the picture.
Business was so brisk, that for the first couple of
years, both women were working late Thursday and
Friday nights.
“Quilters are a special breed.” admitted Worley.
The two proved that their creativity exceeds the know-
how that it takes to piece together a quilt.
Request to make cheerleading attire, slip covers, and
just about anything that has to do with sewing started
pouring in.
They also started carrying and selling all types of fabric
for customers who preferred to do-it-themselves.
According to Day and Worley, around 75% of their
business has been repeat customers. In fact, they have
customers from as far away as California, Tennessee,
Kentucky, Kansas and Missouri.
Even as this interview was taking place, a couple
from New York stopped in to browse.
It didn’t take long before it became evident that this is
an extremely active location in Santa Anna.
While observing the goings on of this seamstresses’
paradise, lifelong resident, Janet Neff came in to pick up a
quilt.
The unfinished squares had been given to her by her
mother, and she of course took in this future heirloom for
the ladies to piece together.
Day and Worley express the importance of knowing the
facts about one’s quilt.
They suggest sewing on a pocket to the back of the quilt
with written detailed information inserted, noting who
made the quilt and where it came from for future
generations.
Neff’s finished product with its deep, rich colors
displayed a series of animated pictures right out of a Mark
Twain book of two boys fishing off of a makeshift raft.
After complimenting Neff on her new throw, she
remarked, “I just love quilts. I haven’t seen a quilt I didn’t
like.”
That seems to be an overwhelming sentiment that the
ladies have become affectionately accustomed to.
Shirley’s Originals
Three years ago, Shirley Mobley became a valuable
addition to the Quilter‘s Patch.
Mobley had something to offer that the business was
missing… embroidery, and Day and Worley recognized
this.
Having family ties to the community, she and husband,
Greg, moved from Austin to Santa Anna as he had taken a
job working for the Coleman County Telephone Coop.
After moving to the hamlet, Mobley wanted to continue a
tradition that she became fond of while living in Austin.
She wanted to play Bunko with the girls.
Mobley began making phone calls and forming teams to
meet, and before long, Day and Worley found themselves
a part of the madness.
Mobley owned her own embroidery machine and Day and
Worley took notice of her talent and assets that could be
integrated into the business.
Before long, the new kid on the block was displaying her
homemade tortilla warmers in the shop display window.
Mobley said that at first, their was a lot of moving around
from station to station, but that the problem has been
resolved and she now has her own work station.
“I’ve learned a whole, whole lot from these ladies.”
Mobley confesses.
Eventually, Mobley began meeting other women in town
who began teaching her a variety of skills that would
allow her to add to her already diverse inventory.
And Mobley is not shy in crediting local, Kathy Hale for
teaching her how to make her wonderfully fragrant soaps,
as well as other local for instructin her in dichroic glass
jewelry making.
All of which are for sale at the Quilter’s Patch.
“People are turning back to buying American made
products.” Mobley said.
And as for the Quilter’s Patch in Santa Anna, it’s as
American as it gets.
paradise, lifelong resident, Janet Neff came in to pick up a
quilt.
The unfinished squares had been given to her by her
mother, and she of course took in this future heirloom for
the ladies to piece together.
Day and Worley express the importance of knowing the
facts about one’s quilt.
They suggest sewing on a pocket to the back of the quilt
with written detailed information inserted, noting who
made the quilt and where it came from for future
generations.
Neff’s finished product with its deep, rich colors
displayed a series of animated pictures right out of a Mark
Twain book of two boys fishing off of a makeshift raft.
After complimenting Neff on her new throw, she
remarked, “I just love quilts. I haven’t seen a quilt I didn’t
like.”
That seems to be an overwhelming sentiment that the
ladies have become affectionately accustomed to.
Shirley’s Originals
Three years ago, Shirley Mobley became a valuable
addition to the Quilter‘s Patch.
Mobley had something to offer that the business was
missing… embroidery, and Day and Worley recognized
this.
Having family ties to the community, she and husband,
Greg, moved from Austin to Santa Anna as he had taken a
job working for the Coleman County Telephone Coop.
After moving to the hamlet, Mobley wanted to continue a
tradition that she became fond of while living in Austin.
She wanted to play Bunko with the girls.
Mobley began making phone calls and forming teams to
meet, and before long, Day and Worley found themselves
a part of the madness.
Mobley owned her own embroidery machine and Day and
Worley took notice of her talent and assets that could be
integrated into the business.
Before long, the new kid on the block was displaying her
homemade tortilla warmers in the shop display window.
Mobley said that at first, their was a lot of moving around
from station to station, but that the problem has been
resolved and she now has her own work station.
“I’ve learned a whole, whole lot from these ladies.”
Mobley confesses.
Eventually, Mobley began meeting other women in town
who began teaching her a variety of skills that would
allow her to add to her already diverse inventory.
And Mobley is not shy in crediting local, Kathy Hale for
teaching her how to make her wonderfully fragrant soaps,
as well as other local for instructin her in dichroic glass
jewelry making.
All of which are for sale at the Quilter’s Patch.
“People are turning back to buying American made
products.” Mobley said.
And as for the Quilter’s Patch in Santa Anna, it’s as
American as it gets.
Quilter's Patch ... Always a Hit in
Santa Anna
Santa Anna