Our Town’s Origin

“Our town received its name as a result of an argument, a compromise and a handshake. The story goes that, in 1844, there were two general stores in the area. One was on Rocky Hill near the cemetery, and the other a mile south down on Sandy Flat.

The Federal Government wished to locate a post office in the area. Both businessmen wanted the post office near their business. As it could not be in two places, the men compromised for the mutual benefit of the people. The post office was located between the two businesses, on a hill.

As the two made the decision, they shook hands and one said, “For friendship sake, I will give over.”

The officials present suggested that a good name for the town would be “Friendship.” The town accepted the name and later the “handshake” became the symbol of the town and the bank. The “spirit” of friendship has become synonymous with the name of the town ever since.” (1)

Our Bank In Friendship

The Bank of Friendship opened in 1904. The first record of the handshake as its logo was in the 1920’s. Several generations identified the handshake with the town and the bank. The bank was sold in 1997 and the new owners changed the logo. The community was disturbed by this action.

The bank was sold again in 2004 and purchased by Jim Clayton, a native West Tennessean. When he learned what the handshake symbol meant to the people of Friendship, he restored it as the logo of the bank.

Now known as Friendship Bank, the “re-established” handshake logo represents friendliness and trustworthiness. The original “spirit” of friendship still lives here.

(1)(From “History of Friendship, Tennessee 1824 – 1986”)