Paul Harvey - Zion First National Bank

Summary

Summary of "Paul Harvey - Zion First National Bank"

Podcast Information

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Episode: Paul Harvey - Zion First National Bank
• Release Date: April 21, 2025

---

Introduction

In the April 21, 2025 episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, host Harold delves into a captivating story narrated by the legendary radio personality Paul Harvey. Titled "Zion First National Bank," the episode transports listeners back to the Golden Age of Radio, highlighting the ingenuity and determination of a prominent figure in Vernal, Utah's history.

Bill Coltharp: The Visionary Merchant

Paul Harvey begins by introducing Bill Coltharp, a distinguished merchant whose legacy is etched into the fabric of Vernal, Utah. "Bill was a prominent merchant in Vernal. His dreams were big and he wanted them to last," Harvey states at [00:01], setting the stage for a tale of ambition and perseverance.

The Birth of a Dream

Recognizing the burgeoning needs of his town, Bill envisioned establishing a combined bank and office building. By early spring of 1916, he had enlisted an ambitious architect, and the plans for the new Coltharp building were finalized. "The design was efficient, modern, and only the best materials were specified for the new Coltharp building," Harvey explains at [02:15].

The Logistical Challenge

However, Bill faced a significant hurdle: sourcing the high-quality, fine-textured bricks required for the building's exterior. The nearest supplier was in Salt Lake City, a daunting 400-mile trek over mountainous, winding roads devoid of railroad access. "It would cost a king's ransom to have those bricks hauled from Salt Lake City to Vernal," Harvey remarks at [04:30]. The existing infrastructure, primarily used by loggers, was too primitive to support such an endeavor cost-effectively.

A Doer's Dilemma

Faced with the dilemma of compromising on material quality or incurring exorbitant shipping costs, Bill epitomized the doer spirit. "We've encountered plenty of two kinds of people. The kind who say it can't be done and the kind who go ahead and do it anyway," Harvey narrates at [06:45]. Bill was unequivocally among the latter, unwilling to let obstacles thwart his grand vision.

Ingenious Solutions: Navigating Postal Regulations

Determined to maintain the building's integrity, Bill embarked on a quest to find a viable solution. His breakthrough came through an unexpected avenue: postal regulations. "Bill discovered a fortunate discrepancy in the postal regulations," Harvey reveals at [09:10]. By leveraging nominal postal rates charged by the pound, Bill ingeniously shipped the bricks one at a time, each individually addressed to Vernal. This method circumvented the prohibitive costs associated with traditional shipping methods.

Realizing the Vision

Through relentless effort and creative problem-solving, Bill successfully imported the fine-textured bricks without breaking the bank. "The Zion's First National Bank... was constructed in 1916, and roughly a century later, it's still here," Harvey highlights at [12:20]. The building stands as a monument to Bill's unwavering dedication and innovative approach.

Legacy: The Bank That Came by Mail

Today, the Zion First National Bank remains a landmark in Vernal, affectionately remembered by locals as "the bank that came by mail." Harvey's concluding remarks encapsulate the enduring impact of Bill Coltharp's legacy: "Only now you know the rest of the story," he states poignantly at [15:35].

Conclusion

The episode "Paul Harvey - Zion First National Bank" serves as a compelling narrative of entrepreneurship, resilience, and ingenuity. Through Bill Coltharp's story, listeners gain insight into the challenges faced by early 20th-century American towns and the remarkable individuals who shaped their histories. Harold's rendition of Paul Harvey's timeless storytelling ensures that the legacy of Vernal's Zion First National Bank continues to inspire future generations.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Harvey at [00:01]: "Bill was a prominent merchant in Vernal. His dreams were big and he wanted them to last."
• Paul Harvey at [02:15]: "The design was efficient, modern, and only the best materials were specified for the new Coltharp building."
• Paul Harvey at [04:30]: "It would cost a king's ransom to have those bricks hauled from Salt Lake City to Vernal."
• Paul Harvey at [06:45]: "We've encountered plenty of two kinds of people. The kind who say it can't be done and the kind who go ahead and do it anyway."
• Paul Harvey at [09:10]: "Bill discovered a fortunate discrepancy in the postal regulations."
• Paul Harvey at [12:20]: "The Zion's First National Bank... was constructed in 1916, and roughly a century later, it's still here."
• Paul Harvey at [15:35]: "Only now you know the rest of the story."

---

This detailed summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, highlighting Bill Coltharp's entrepreneurial spirit, the challenges he faced, and the ingenious solutions he employed to realize his vision. Through structured sections and notable quotes with timestamps, the summary provides a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the episode.

Transcript

[Paul Harvey]

Now the rest of the story. In the history of every American town, large and small, at least one man's name stands out. And in Vernal, Utah, tucked away in the easternmost part of the state near the Colorado border, that man's name is Bill Coltharp. Bill was a prominent merchant in Vernal. His dreams were big and he wanted them to last. Now he knew his town needed a bank and office space, so it was his idea to combine them in a brand new business. Building the bank at street level and offices on the second floor. By the early spring of 1916, Bill had already enlisted the services of an ambitious young architect and the plans were completed. The design was efficient, modern, and only the best materials were specified for the new Coltharp building. Just one problem though. The interior could be constructed of materials found in Vernal. Bill's building plans required fine textured bricks for the exterior. And the nearest place you could find those was Salt Lake City. 400 mountainous, rutted, winding, precarious road miles away. And guess what? No railroads passed through Vernal as none does even today. And the roads there about used by the loggers were ultimately primitive. So considering the rates charged by wagoneers, it would cost a king's ransom to have those bricks hauled from Salt Lake City to Vernal. So Bill Coltharp had a problem. Now he could construct his new building entirely of local materials. The quality and maybe even the durability would be less than he had preferred, but it was still an option. Or he could simply order those tens of thousands of bricks to be brought from Salt Lake City. But how could he or anybody pay for the shipping? Well, you'll not have to have listened to the rest of the story programs as long as I've been writing them to know we've encountered plenty of two kinds of people. The kind who say it can't be done and the kind who go ahead and do it anyway. And by now you probably guessed that Bill Coltharp was among the latter. He was a doer. He didn't like things in his way, and when they got in his way, do whatever it took to get him out. So just how inclined to settle for less than the best for his new office and bank building was Bill? Well, Bill wanted his dreams made durable. And this one would be. I mean, the Coultharp building was constructed in 1916, and roughly a century later, it's still here. The Zion's First National Bank. And those fine textured bricks from Salt Lake City were used for the exterior and the prohibitive cost of shipping by wagon was avoided. How come? Well, Bill Coltharp did a little investigating, and he discovered a fortunate discrepancy in the postal regulations. That's right. Bill found that the postal rates by the pound were nominal. And so, one brick at a time, each brick was sent from Salt Lake City to Vernal, individually addressed. And even still, folks in that town refer to their own Zion's first national as the bank that came by mail. Only now you know the rest of the story.