From Bank To Church

In the past 104 years, Barnsdall Main Street has changed in it's appearance many times. Though the buildings are basically the same from their historical beginnings, they could tell countless stories of small town America and the locals that patronized the stores in years past. It's my belief that the most historical building on Main Street is the building at the northeast corner of Main and 5th. It was the first stone building built on the dirt thoroughfare and began as the Bank of Bigheart.

1908: Looking north on 5th St. Pearson - Jackson Store (Left); Bank Of Bigheart (Right)

Tellers window inside the Bank of Bigheart.

Being one of the only stone buildings on Main Street in 1911, it rode out the tornado with minimal damage as  the strong winds ripped through Bigheart and destroyed a large portion of the town.

1911 tornado damage on Bigheart Main Street looking west.  The Bank of Bigheart is standing on the right

1911 tornado damage to the Bank of Bigheart

The bank finally closed it's doors and was then reopened as the D. B. Kelley Arcade and Book Store. D. B. Kelley occupied the west annex of the Runyon theater building before moving into the vacant Bank of Bigheart building.

D. B. Kelley Arcade in the west annex of the Runyon theater building 

D. B. Kelley pictured inside the his arcade in 1931.

D. B. Kelley Arcade, 1931

In 1939, D.B. Kelley sold his arcade to Mr. and Mrs. Blevins as it became known as the Blevins Arcade.

Blevins Arcade in 1971. Widely known as Sallie's to the Barnsdall population.

After the death of Sallie Blevins the building took on other businesses and organizations such as a Mexican restaurant, donut shop, cafe, chamber of commerce and church.

2012 Cornerstone Community Church.

 The building is on the Register of Historic Places and deserves the right. It has withstood the test of time but is in need of a cosmetic overhaul. The Church has plans for moving into their new building located across the street soon. What will become of the building is unknown? My idea for the building is this. Place it in trust to a group that will refurbish and restore the building to it's earlier days and then move the Bigheart museum into it. With it's central location in town and it's square footage it would be possible to display all of the articles in the museum instead of only part of them. As of now, the present museum is cluttered with all kinds of artifacts and pieces that cannot be displayed. What could be more fitting for the oldest and most historical building on Main Street? Give it an identity and long term purpose to help teach the children of Barnsdall about the town in which they live.