Bank of Bigheart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bank of Bigheart
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Bank of Bigheart
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| Location | Barnsdall, Oklahoma |
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| Built | 1911 |
| Architectural style | Richardsonian Romanesque |
| MPS | Richardsonian Romanesque Banks of Osage County TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 84000311 |
| Added to NRHP | November 23, 1984 |
The Bank of Bigheart is a very old and important building in Barnsdall, Oklahoma. It used to be the first bank in Barnsdall. Back then, the town was called Bigheart. This building is so special that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 23, 1984. This means it's officially recognized as a historic landmark.
Contents
Building History and Changes
Built During the Oil Boom
This building was constructed in 1911. This was a busy time in Osage County because of a huge oil boom. A big tornado hit the town in April 1911. It destroyed many buildings. The Bank of Bigheart building was built right after this disaster.
Town and Bank Name Changes
The town was originally named Bigheart. In 1921, its name changed to Barnsdall. The bank inside the building also changed its name. In 1925, it became the Barnsdall State Bank. This bank stayed in the building until 1976. Then, it moved to a new location.
What Happened Next?
After the bank moved out, the building was used for many different things. It has been a drug store and even a tavern. The second floor used to have offices for different jobs. It has been empty since the 1980s. This building is the oldest business building still standing in Barnsdall.
New Life for the Building
Over the years, the building has also housed the Barnsdall city hall and library. Groups like the International Order of Oddfellows (IOOF) also used it. Today, the ground floor has two shops. One is a flower shop called Twig and Berries. The other is The Hen House, which sells handmade items and fresh eggs. In 2014, the owner, Cliff Taylor, started fixing up the building. He began by replacing all the windows on the second floor.
Building Style and Design
Richardsonian Romanesque Look
The Bank of Bigheart building shows a style called late Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. This style was popular around the early 1900s. The building is made from local sandstone.
Key Features of the Style
You can see the Richardsonian Romanesque style in a few ways:
- Arched Windows: The first floor has large windows with rounded tops. These are very common in this type of architecture.
- Smaller Upper Windows: The top floor has smaller windows. They are set deep into the walls and have straight tops. They are arranged in a row, like a ribbon.
- Roofline Design: The roof has a special design called "crenelations." These look like the tops of old castles.
Other Banks Like It
This building is one of four banks in Osage County, Oklahoma built in this style. They were all built between 1904 and 1911. The other three are the Bank of Hominy, the Bank of Burbank, and the Osage Bank of Fairfax.
