“Specially catering to soldiers”, was the Citizens State Bank newspaper ad in 1917. Originally opened to meet the prosperous agricultural needs of the community the needs of the soldiers at nearby Camp Meade were also considered. With the U.S. entry into WWI and the increase troop buildup at Camp Meade, soldiers needed a place to safe keep their valuables. Due to the transient nature of soldiers, the bank provided “safety for valuables” for a flat rate of $1.00 rather than renting safe deposit boxes. It also paid 4% interest on savings accounts regardless of the period open. Additionally, the bank provided currency for the distribution of the Camp Meade payroll.
The “Old Bank Building” has stood near the Odenton MARC Station at 1402 Odenton Rd, Odenton, MD 21113 since 1917. Over the years, it has served many other roles, including a neighborhood grocery store and Railway Express Office. The building was closed in 1966.
The Odenton Heritage Society (OHS) bought the building in 1993 to restore and use as their first
museum. When completed in 1994, the OHS was awarded the Annual Orlando Ridout IV Award in recognition of an outstanding restoration effort. The Citizens State Bank was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013. Today, the building is leased by the OHS to a local coffee shop and showcases images and artifacts of Odenton history.