First National Bank Gives Away 4,000 Cigars at Opening Celebration

After reading about the 1931 open house at the First National Bank in Austin, I couldn't resist sharing some of these charming details, from the Mower County News on February 26, 1931:
“When the new First National Bank opened its doors to the public last Saturday afternoon in dedication and celebration of the completion of its lovely new structure, more than 12,000 visitors passed thru the Colonial portals to view this splendid achievement.
Several prominent bankers visited our city to attend the reception as did a number of managing officers of the First Bank Stock Corporation with which the merging Austin banks are affiliated. Many people came from the various villages of the country and several delegations from Albert Lea, Owatonna and Rochester.
During the reception hours which were from two to five o'clock in the afternoon and from seven to nine o'clock in the evening, mementos were passed to each visitor who passed thru the building. It is estimated that 5,000 roses were distributed to the ladies  while 4,000 cigars were given to the men.
The Boy Scouts gave their efficient assistance in guiding the throngs about the new bank structure thus avoiding any confusion as the people filed thru orderly in rows. A company of charming ladies, employees of the banks, gowned in quaint Colonial costumes in harmony with the Colonial type of architecture and furnishings greeted us with a smile and presented us with souvenirs.”


While the article did not feature photos, this is what I imagine the 'quaint Colonial costumes' looked like.