Robert L. Thornton

Who was Robert L. Thornton?

Robert Lee Thornton, Sr. was a Dallas, Texas businessman, philanthropist, and mayor of the city.

Thornton grew up with some schooling, but spent many of his early years working - first as a cotton picker, then as a store clerk and later as a traveling salesman. In 1916, Thornton founded Stiles, Thornton and Lund, a banking company, called the Mercantile National Bank, serving as its president through 1947. In 1942, Thornton saw the completion of the bank's headquarters, the Mercantile Bank Building. By 1917, the company organized the Dallas County State Bank which became one of the national banks during the Great Depression.

Thornton quickly became a prominent businessman, being named to high positions with other local business in various industries, including insurance, railroads, steel, the local utility company, and hotels. Thornton also raised cattle at a ranch he owned in Argyle, Texas.

Thornton was also a prominent figure in the community, serving as president of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce from 1933 to 1936, President of the Rotary Club of Dallas 1915-1916 and serving as president of the State Fair of Texas from 1945 to 1960.