Growth History of Wells Fargo

wells fargo & co. franked cover austin, nevada territory, san francisco, cal. july 6, 1870



wells fargo , company express building built circa 1877, silver reef, utah

the company expanded rapidly under tevis management. number of banking , express offices grew 436 in 1871 3,500 @ turn of century. during period, wells fargo established first transcontinental express line, using more dozen railroads. company first gained access lucrative east coast markets beginning in 1888; promoted use of refrigerated freight cars in california; had opened branch banks in virginia city, carson city, , salt lake city, utah 1876; , opened branch bank in new york city 1880. wells fargo expanded express services japan, australia, hong kong, south america, mexico, , europe. in 1885 wells fargo began selling money orders. in 1892 john j. valentine, sr., long time wells fargo employee, made president of company.

wells fargo 1870 ad

until 1876, both banking , express operations of wells fargo in san francisco carried on in same building @ northeast corner of california , montgomery streets. in 1876 locations separated, banking department moving building @ northeast corner of california , sansome streets. bank moved in 1891 corner of sansome , market streets, remained until 1905. of branch banks, @ carson city sold bullion & exchange bank there in 1891; virginia city bank sold isaias w. hellman s nevada bank in 1891; , salt lake city bank sold walker brothers there in 1894. new york city branch remained until wells fargo & company bank merged hellman s bank in 1905.