Crook County Bank Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Crook County Bank Building
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Home of the Bowman Museum
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| Location | 246 North Main Street, Prineville, Oregon |
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| Built | 1910 |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 91000802 |
| Added to NRHP | June 19, 1991 |
The Crook County Bank Building is a very old and important building in Prineville, Oregon. It was built in 1910 using big stone blocks from a nearby quarry.
This building was first used as a bank. Later, it became home to a business that handled property titles and insurance. Since 1971, it has been a museum! Today, it is known as the A. R. Bowman Memorial Museum. Because it is so important to Prineville's history, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special place worth protecting.
Building History
The Crook County Bank Building was finished in 1910 and opened its doors in 1911. Over the years, it was home to three different banks. First, it housed the Crook County Bank.
In 1923, the Crook County Bank moved out. Then, the Bank of Prineville took its place. Later, the Prineville National Bank operated here. During the Great Depression, a tough time for the economy, that bank closed down.
In 1935, a man named A. R. Bowman bought the building. He used it for his businesses, which included title and insurance services. Mr. Bowman owned the building until he passed away in 1970.
Becoming a Museum
In 1971, Mr. Bowman's wife and daughters gave the building to Crook County. They wanted it to be used as a museum. The Crook County Historical Society agreed to run the new A. R. Bowman Memorial Museum.
At first, volunteers helped run the museum. Over the years, local voters approved special taxes to help pay for museum staff, bills, and upkeep. This support helped the museum make big improvements to the building in 1992. In 2000, the museum even got a grant to put a new roof on the old bank building.
This old bank building shows how Prineville grew in the early 1900s. Its unique style and historical importance led to it being listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 19, 1991.
Building Design
The Crook County Bank Building is located at the corner of Third and Main Street in Prineville. It is a two-story building built in the Romanesque Revival style. This style often uses strong, rounded arches and thick walls.
The building was constructed in 1910. The stone blocks came from a local quarry west of the Ochoco Viewpoint. This same quarry also provided stone for the Crook County Courthouse in 1909.
When the Crook County Historical Society took over, they added a new staircase to the second floor. However, much of the inside of the building still looks like it did when it was a bank. You can still see the original bronze teller cages where bankers worked. There are also marble counters, fancy etched glass, and beautiful chandeliers. The rich mahogany wood paneling shows how grand a bank used to be.
Bowman Museum Today
Today, the old Crook County Bank building is home to the A. R. Bowman Memorial Museum. The Crook County Historical Society runs the museum. It tells the story of Crook County and central Oregon.
The museum uses the building's original layout for its exhibits. You can find sections about the City of Prineville Railroad and the local timber industry. There are also displays about military history. Other exhibits include old furniture, clothes, and photographs. You can also see pioneer tools and items.
The museum has a special research room. It holds about 700 books about Oregon history. People can learn about pioneers, how local businesses grew, and many other topics. The museum's gift shop sells books about local history and souvenirs.
